Sri Lanka, March 4 -- Colombo, March 4 ()- Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said yesterday that Russians and Ukrainians who have been in Sri Lanka since February 2022 will need to apply for a visa or leave the country.

The minister told the that the free visa facility granted to them will not be extended and they must comply with immigration regulations by applying for fresh visas.

Meanwhile, according to the Tourist Development Authority, an estimated 300 to 400 Russians and Ukrainians have been staying in Sri Lanka since February 2022.

The visa fee is approximately $50 for a 30-day stay in Sri Lanka.

Last week, the Immigration Department released a letter to the Tourism Ministry Secretary requesting him to notify the long term U...