Irregular migrants nabbed
The Navy detected 100 Sri Lankan irregular migrants at sea in
Negombo near Bandaranaike International Airport. The migrants were traveling in
two trawlers with 50 people on each board trawler. Initial investigations
revealed that both trawlers were bound for Italy. The migrants would be handed over to police for further
investigation. Earlier, the Navy
caught 113 people bound for Italy in the same area.
Special lane for migrant workers
A special Immigration channel and Customs channel for Sri
Lankan migrant workers would be soon be introduced at the Bandaranaike
International Airport. The special channel is intended to minimize the
inconvenience faced by migrant workers on their arrival at the airport.
Visa-free entry for Indians
Indian tourists to Sri Lanka will be exempted from visa
requirements if they possess valid passports.
They would be entitled to stay not exceeding one month. However, they
would be required to have a visa authorizing entry to their country of intent if
they are in transit to another country.
Sources: Xinhua
News Service, “Sri Lankan navy catches 100 illicit immigrants for Italy," 18
January 2002; “Visa on arrival
for Indians," Daily News, 28 January 2002; Ranil Wijayapala, “Special
channel for migrant workers at airport," Daily News, 30 January 2002