Sri Lanka Cracks Down on Russian Tourist Visas
Sri Lanka is canceling long-term tourist visa extensions for Russian and Ukrainian tourists, prompting them to leave the country by March 7. This decision follows outrage over a "whites only" event organized by a Russian-run nightclub. The cancellation of visa extensions threatens a significant source of tourist income for the debt-stricken island, which has been grappling with an economic crisis. The Russian Embassy in Colombo condemned racial discrimination and urged its citizens to adhere to local laws and customs.