The Department of Immigration and Emigration arrested 21 Indian nationals operating at an online marketing center in Negombo, in breach of their tourist visa terms.
Following a preliminary inquiry, officials raided a rented house in Negombo converted into an office space, equipped with computers and other devices.
According to a senior immigration official, the male foreigners aged between 24 to 25 years arrived in Sri Lanka in February and March on tourist visas.
While enjoying the free-of-charge visa privilege until March 31st, granted as part of a tourism promotion pilot project, engaging in paid or unpaid work is prohibited under the law for those on tourist visas.
The arrested individuals have been transferred to the department’s detention center in Welisara under the directive of Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya.
Upon completion of inquiries and formalities, they will be allowed to depart from the country.
