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New unit to track down unscrupulous tourists, sex workers
View(s):By Leon Berenger
The Immigration Department’s border control division will soon have a new unit to monitor foreign visitors engaging in illegal practices. “The move is aimed largely at a small group who violate their visa status,” the Border Control Division Chief Nihal Ranasinghe said.
He said that among the illegal acts some tourists engaged in were money laundering, computer hacking, prostitution and illegal trade.
“We are bringing together fresh ideas and thinking of setting up a discreet monitoring mechanism where we could keep tab on certain foreign visitors in the better interest of the country and the tourism industry,” Mr. Ranasinghe said.
He said the monitoring unit would be set up within three months and for this purpose the assistance of stakeholders in the tourism industry and relevant state agencies including the police would be sought.
“This is a delicate issue. We need to protect the bona fides foreign visitors and prevent any harm to the tourism industry as well. On the other hand, errant foreign visitors will have to be dealt with,” he said.
Mr. Ranasinghe said that at present the Immigration Department was encouraging the public to provide information on unscrupulous foreign visitors and instant follow up action would be taken on the complaints.
Last week, 100 Chinese, including 26 women, were picked up in a sting operation by undercover police sleuths after they were found to have hacked into bank accounts of their fellow countrymen removing billions of rupees.
“There are also cases where several foreigners have been caught with counterfeit local and foreign currency and also a large number of women are known to be active in the sex industry,” he added.
He said there were also hundreds of others mainly South Asians who were known to be engaged in illegal trade after arriving on tourist visas.
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