Amid growing concerns over foreigners illegally engaging in business activities in Sri Lanka, authorities have revealed that the majority of businesses involving Israelis are actually owned by Sri Lankans.
Acting Director of the Police Tourist Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Prabath Vidanagama, explained that while some ventures are solely operated by foreigners, many are fronted by local individuals.
“In certain cases, businesses are registered under Sri Lankan names, but the actual operations are controlled by foreigners. This is a concerning issue. However, we have already taken action in cases where businesses are completely owned and run by foreign nationals,” ASP Vidanagama stated.
He added that the police, in coordination with other enforcement agencies, have started identifying foreigners involved in business activities, especially in tourism hotspots like Arugam Bay and Weligama.
Many of these individuals are operating on tourist visas, which strictly prohibit commercial activities.
“We are currently gathering intelligence and verifying the details of foreign nationals conducting business ventures while on tourist visas,” he said. “This issue is particularly widespread in popular tourist areas such as Arugam Bay and Weligama.”
This move follows rising public concern after reports surfaced that several Israeli nationals had been running businesses in Sri Lanka while on tourist visas.
