LNP – Pakistan resentful over exclusion of its nationals from visa-relaxed entry into Sri Lanka

Pakistan, a country that stood by Sri Lanka in international forums and the fight against terrorism, is upset over the latest visa restrictions imposed on its nationals arriving in the country, Daily Mirror learns.

Pakistan as a country is perturbed over the exclusion of it from the list of countries that were categorized for visa-free entry into the country.

Daily Mirror learns that Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Islamabad Ravindra Wijegunawardena has brought this to the notice of Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and requested for the inclusion of Pakistan in the same category.

Pakistan High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Major General (Retired) Faheem Ul Aziz, expressed serious concerns regarding the visa issuance procedure for Pakistani nationals by Sri Lanka, describing it as a “step-motherly” treatment in comparison to several other countries, including India. The High Commissioner emphasised the urgency of revisiting and relaxing the current visa procedures to facilitate the smooth travel of Pakistani nationals to Sri Lanka, especially in light of the recent tourism campaign launched by SriLankan Airlines.

The High Commission notes that the currently restricted category visa procedures for Pakistani nationals may have an adverse impact on the longstanding and historically close people–to–people relations between our two countries.

The issue of restrictive visa procedures has been raised informally in discussions with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan, as well as with representatives from the Pakistani business community. There is a growing sentiment that Pakistan is being unfairly excluded from the list of countries that benefit from more streamlined visa processes, which could lead to feelings of marginalisation and discontent.

It has been brought to the notice of the minister that Pakistan has been a steadfast and reliable ally of Sri Lanka, particularly during critical times, such as the conflict with the LTTE. Pakistan provided crucial military support, including training and equipment, at a time when Sri Lanka needed it most. The people-to-people connection between our two nations has also grown stronger over the years, as evidenced by the scholarships and educational opportunities offered to Sri Lankan students at several prestigious Universities in Pakistan. The Mission is of the view that these ties should be nurtured and strengthened, not hindered by restrictive visa procedures.

Economic ties between our two countries have grown significantly, with total trade reaching US $ 500 million. In 2023, Sri Lanka exported goods worth over US $ 100 million to Pakistan. Any barriers to the free movement of people, particularly business travellers and investors, could have a detrimental effect on our economic partnership and the continued growth of bilateral trade.

The High Commission has observed that the current visa procedures have already caused significant disruptions to outbound travel from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. Our inability to provide timely and precise information on the visa process is eroding confidence among Pakistani travel agencies, business delegations, academics, and professionals who are planning visits to Sri Lanka. Moreover, this uncertainty is prompting Pakistani tourists and individuals planning to attend important events, such as weddings, to consider alternative destinations, thereby negatively impacting Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Recently, SriLankan Airlines introduced a promotional package specifically aimed at attracting Pakistani tourists to Sri Lanka. However, the existing visa procedures could severely undermine the success of this campaign, making it challenging for the airline to achieve full passenger capacity on its routine flights. This, in turn, could result in financial losses and reduced effectiveness of the tourism promotion efforts.