Thousands of Russian and Ukrainian tourists who moved to Sri Lanka amid the war in Ukraine may have to leave after a “whites only” party was announced at a Russian-run nightclub.
A poster for last weekend's “White Party” at the Saraika Lounge, in the popular Unawatuna resort, specified a white dress code, as is customary at such events.
However, the poster, which was shared widely online, also included a line saying “Face Control: White”, angering people who interpreted it to mean that non-white people would not be allowed inside.
Shortly after anger erupted in the southern coastal town, authorities in the South Asian country said they had canceled extensions for long-term tourist visas.
But President Ranil Wickremesinghe has raised doubts about whether the government will go through with the cancellation because it would threaten much-needed tourism income, according to Sky News' US partner NBC.
It was a country with a population of 22 million people Struggling with an economic crisis Since declaring bankruptcy two years ago, it has debts of more than 65 billion pounds.
Russian and Ukrainian tourists must leave the country by March 7, after the final extension of the free visa expires, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said.
The Immigration Department said last month that visas had been extended due to “airlines not operating in the area”, but the Immigration Commissioner-General has since said the aviation situation has “returned to normal”.
However, the President ordered an investigation into the notice, saying visas cannot be canceled without Cabinet approval.
“The government has not officially decided to cancel the extension of visas previously granted to these tourists,” his office said in a post on X.
Unawatuna Beach, Sri Lanka. Photo: Reuters
After several countries imposed restrictions on Russian citizens following the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, many flocked to the country Sri Lanka When it effectively offered semi-indefinite stays.
Nearly 200,000 Russians 5,000 Ukrainians visited the country last year, according to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism.
It is unclear how many people remained in the country beyond the usual 30-day duration of a tourist visa.
But thousands are believed to have remained there, including many who tried to avoid conscription into the army.
It is also unclear whether the expiration of the visa extension is related to the recent protest over the alleged “whites-only” event.
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In an Instagram post last Friday, the bar said it had canceled the event, where three Russian DJs were scheduled to perform, and would “never support various racist statements or organizations.”
A user who claimed to be one of the party's organizers apologized, saying, “There was no hatred or racism in this matter.”
“We wanted to meet expats who have been living here for a long time and love Sri Lanka,” the user said, adding that he and his family had to leave the island due to abuse and threats.
“According to unconfirmed data, the main promoter as well as the bar owners who agreed to hold the concert are Russian citizens,” the Russian Embassy in Colombo said in a statement.
She added that Russia “strongly condemns all forms of racial discrimination,” saying it expects citizens to follow local laws and customs.
