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ISLAMABAD: The Sri Lankan government on Friday cancelled the on-arrival visa facility for Pakistanis, DawnNews reported.
Pakistani citizens intending to travel to Sri Lanka have been advised by the government to apply for a visa before taking a flight.
The decision, which was taken in view of the rising number of political asylum cases in Sri Lanka, was officially communicated to Pakistan’s Foreign ministry.
Sri Lankan daily Ceylon Today reported last week that nearly 1,500 Pakistanis, many of whom are registered with the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, have been picked up by the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Criminal Investigation Department. According to the newspaper, these people were to be deported because of their alleged involvement in ‘anti-state activities’ in India and Pakistan.
The Foreign Office distanced itself from the reported arrests of registered Pakistani refugees and asylum seekers in Sri Lanka, but aid workers from the island nation have confirmed that Pakistani refugees are being rounded up by the authorities.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam was unsympathetic to the plight of the detained refugees in Sri Lanka, saying: “These people [asylum seekers] obtained asylum in Sri Lanka by badmouthing Pakistan. If they are in trouble, I have no idea.”
Earlier, Pakistani nationals were granted on-arrival visas in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka will soon communicate guidelines to Pakistan's High Commission which will state detailed travel requirements.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (107) Closed
Jun 27, 2014 05:57pm
Sad News ideed ! only the middle class will suffer yet again, all the politicians and big businessman s normally travel to Europe and US !
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Jun 27, 2014 06:05pm
Sadly even Rwanda and Somalia are now debating about cancelling visa on arrival for Pak citizens. If your passport is green in colour, be prepared for a horrifying experience.
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Jun 27, 2014 06:11pm
We are paying the price of our policies. Allah ke wastey focuss on education, jobs , social schemes. Reduce defence spending and strengthen your internal security and police force.In pursuit of strategic depth..we have burnt our own house.In the current scenario nobody is ready to be our
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Jun 27, 2014 06:19pm
Sinking deeper and deeper to a new low everyday. Even the third world countries look down upon us.
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Jun 27, 2014 06:23pm
Pathetic attitude of foreign office.These offices are made to help foreign Pakistanis not to serve the officials personal gains.
These remarks are no better then what well known remarks by X- Prime minister of Pakistan on US talk show. " ..... they should leave, who is stopping them?". And the shameless smile after that.
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Jun 27, 2014 06:41pm
Global ranking of Pakistani passport has now officially dropped to 92 from 91, making it second last on the list. Afghanistan is last on Henley Visa Index at 93.
Even African countries has better ranking than our passport.
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Jun 27, 2014 06:50pm
are there any other good news yet to come in...?
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Jun 27, 2014 06:51pm
more and more countries will do that..if we don't change our ways
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Jun 27, 2014 06:59pm
Et tu Sri Lanka?
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Jun 27, 2014 07:01pm
Surprised, No. Saddened, Yes.
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Jun 27, 2014 07:17pm
Obviously, it will be a two-way arrangement I suppose.
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Jun 27, 2014 07:23pm
I have to wonder, is the effect of Modi's meeting with the Sri Lanka PM at Modi's inauguration?
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Jun 27, 2014 07:25pm
Is there anyone that loves us??
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Jun 27, 2014 07:45pm
All gates being closed!! We are being hemmed in.
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Jun 27, 2014 07:51pm
For god sake stop this dirty politics together with the government try to bring good name and economic development. Remember a stable developed country can bring respect to everyone . Otherwise history will remember u as the super ignorants
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Jun 27, 2014 07:57pm
Pakistani people seeking asylum in Sri Lanka? What next?
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Jun 27, 2014 07:57pm
Are we worthy?
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Jun 27, 2014 08:02pm
@Muhammed Ali
The question is: what have you done of late so that people can love you?
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Jun 27, 2014 08:06pm
The reason for the discontent in Islamic nations has to be addressed. The youth are not employable and are totally at odds with the modern way of life. I hope the Muslim brotherhood is giving this issue some thought.
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Jun 27, 2014 08:14pm
@Muhammed Ali NO. And we have us to blame. No one is going to respect us if we don't amend ourselves and our ways. If I wasn't a Pakistani, I wouldn't love us.
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Jun 27, 2014 08:15pm
This is a good preventive action that should be judged by mind & not heart alone. TTP members & local criminals are in all shape & kind. As a fall out of the current security tightening situation in all probability the criminals might attempt to escape from Pakistan & hide in any safe place. Non issuance of on arrival visa will discourage criminals from attempting to travel to Sri Lanka, a good move indeed.
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Jun 27, 2014 08:15pm
We need serious re branding.
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Jun 27, 2014 08:15pm
This was to be expected. Wait till the remaining countries with visa-on-arrival facilities for Pakistanis also withdraw this facility. Pakistanis and their Govt. have to make a major effort in re-shaping the society, and their extreme and intolerant views of others sharing this planet.
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Jun 27, 2014 08:15pm
Very bad decision. A study by EU showed that immigrants from Islamic countries have contributed atleast 12% to EU GDP per year. So its a loss for Sri Lanka.
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Jun 27, 2014 08:20pm
Seems no one wants to live in Pakistan, other than terrorists, and the corrupt politicians.
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Jun 27, 2014 08:26pm
@Danny Not re-branding but immediate behavioral change.
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Jun 27, 2014 09:10pm
you know you are in trouble when srilanka visa is not available.
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Jun 27, 2014 09:33pm
We should punish Sri Lanka for this action. We helped them during their time of need by providing monetary and military aid.
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Jun 27, 2014 09:40pm
One day, even Nigeria will do the same for pakistanis.
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Jun 27, 2014 09:54pm
Sri Lanka should follow a similar strategy like in many middle eastern countries to only grant visiting and working visas for foreign nationals. Sri Lankan citizenship should be safeguarded only to those that are presently citizens of the country and should not offer citizenship for reasons of business enterprises, spousal, dependant, foreign direct investment or deposits. This will maintain the prevailing population ratios and will not in anyway pave the way for those who are planning to change the population dynamics in Sri Lanka by having a manipulative long-term strategy
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Jun 27, 2014 10:00pm
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Jun 27, 2014 10:11pm
It is sad that so many of us choose to live away from our motherland.not because they don't love it, because there are some really bad people there. Those who exploit others plunder and kill for whatever reason and the evils thereof
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Jun 27, 2014 10:22pm
this is the sri lanka we helped during their war against LTTE.
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Jun 27, 2014 10:25pm
Shrinking of friends circle CONTINUES
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Jun 27, 2014 10:32pm
Sri Lanka has always been a good friend but due to situaiton in KPK and many other parts of Pakistan, their decision is very valid for their own safety as terrorists can run and hide themselves to SL even
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Jun 27, 2014 10:36pm
This reflects the foreign policy of our government. Nobody respect our green passport. Shame on our democratic government.
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Jun 27, 2014 10:48pm
There was a time when Sri Lankans used to come to Karachi looking for employement. This was only around 8 years ago. Now, we have been told that we need a visa to go to Sri Lanka. We are going down so fast ony a miracle can save us. I am also very aware that this miracle can not happen in PMLN and PPP governments. I really hope someone like Quaid-E-Azam or Kamal Ataturk comes to our rescue.
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Jun 27, 2014 11:07pm
I guess Pakistanis with foreign passports will be excused from this new policy and the people with pakistani passports will suffer
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Jun 27, 2014 11:08pm
one more achievement for pakistan
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Jun 27, 2014 11:43pm
Start a new category called 4th world countries. Pakistan can be the king there as the only country in that category.
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Jun 27, 2014 11:45pm
@Muhammed Ali Our military establishment does
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Jun 27, 2014 11:49pm
@Masoud Please they don't need a place to hide outside Karachi
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Jun 27, 2014 11:55pm
@Rashid Ishaq Its not just terrorists from Fata. Don't forget the two Imran Farooq murderers now in custody of your dear agencies also detoured through Colombo - a safe heaven for many
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Jun 28, 2014 12:11am
@Md Imran then keep this to hamper economy of other countries
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Jun 28, 2014 12:14am
@Rashid Ishaq
Totally agree. Sri Lankans are without a doubt one of the friendliest people on earth and their literacy rate is one of the highest. Having got rid of the Tamil Tiger terrorists, they have finally started making the progress they deserve. How can we blame them for not allowing Pakistanis to enter freely. Good luck to our Sri Lankan friends.
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Jun 28, 2014 12:19am
Even friendly SAARC country took this step sign of they no longer trust security apparatus which governs issuance of passport to the right people.
Felt proud when visited Sri Lanka and went past SAARC countries passport control while many others were waiting in separate queue. Gone are the days.
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Jun 28, 2014 12:36am
SEAL the boundary of Pakistan from Afghanistan anyway possible before it's too late.
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Jun 28, 2014 12:42am
Another blow on the holders of Pakistani Passport. In the future, Pakistani Passport will be good enough only for Pakistan.
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Jun 28, 2014 12:50am
Thank you General Zia-UL-Haq, Asif Aardari and Amir-ul-Momeenin Sayeed Mohammad Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif . The Pakistani Nation is standing proud because of your accomplishment in this world. My Allah shower more rahmat on the Pakistani nation as you have been the shining star for the nation.
-Basit
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Jun 28, 2014 12:52am
Thats why please help your community to get rid of Terrorism so that everybody will applaud pakistan.
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Jun 28, 2014 12:53am
@Mirza I know its very Sad but why can't pak people dont get rid of Terrorism activities and try to be good nation so that evrybody likes the nation.
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Jun 28, 2014 01:02am
@Md Imran Economy contribution to lanka by Pakistinis????????????? No Thanks. stay in pakistan..
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Jun 28, 2014 01:33am
a new low, don't blame sri lanka, our actions have led to such results. yeh qaum nahi sudhray gee kabhi
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Jun 28, 2014 01:40am
@Parvez , When the goings were great we were like wild hungry 'lions' and now when our chips are down we are hungry for 'love'. There is definitely something badly wrong in our perception regarding ourselves and other nations. Things can be rolled back only if we mend our ways.
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Jun 28, 2014 02:29am
Muslims are being massacred in Sri Lanka and putting tighter visa controls shows their fear.
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Jun 28, 2014 02:29am
Only country Pakistani's don't need visa is for Pakistan.
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Jun 28, 2014 02:30am
@Mirza Pakistan middle class is suffering in Pakistan. So no need to travel and suffer more.
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Jun 28, 2014 02:31am
@Suq Madieq Color has nothing to do with travel restrictions. Saudi, Brazil and few other countries have green passports.
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Jun 28, 2014 02:35am
@ali you so smart....did you came up with this on your own or got help?
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Jun 28, 2014 02:44am
@Muhammed Ali:
If you are ready to hear this - NO
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Jun 28, 2014 02:46am
@Md Imran
Also account for how much burden did they cause?
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Jun 28, 2014 02:51am
Good step Sri Lanka.
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Jun 28, 2014 03:12am
Good move, SL!
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Jun 28, 2014 03:18am
Who wants to go to Sri Lanka anyway ....
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Jun 28, 2014 03:19am
pakistan people are approaching srilanka for political asylum?what a horrible condition!
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Jun 28, 2014 03:54am
@Muhammed Ali
Of course, China. Your all weather friend, till they get what they want.
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Jun 28, 2014 04:33am
@Syed (Australia) how about terrorism by Muslim brothers . No shame on them?
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Jun 28, 2014 04:51am
@Muhammed Ali The Chinese, so long as you play ball with them and let them use you!
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Jun 28, 2014 05:48am
Why all this rona dhona? Even Indians have to take visa on arrival .,Of course it will help if Hafeez Sayeed is sent to Gobi desert.
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Jun 28, 2014 06:07am
Good move indeed. It's a known truth that these asylum seekers are playing a major role in destroying the harmony of Sri Lankan Muslims and the majority Buddhists. Pakistan helped SL immensely to end the war against the tamil terrorists but If it looks as if these asylum seekers play a hand in what's happening in the country now they should not be welcomed in the country. Finally SL government has done something more sensible. Hopefully its not a "too late" move.
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Jun 28, 2014 06:20am
While the world is going green, please understand that it does not apply to passports. The new paradigm for passports:
Green means STOP.
Waiting to see what action Bhutan and Maldives take for visa restrictions for green passport holders.
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Jun 28, 2014 06:35am
@Chakra Gaye ? Pakistani for Waziristan r going to Afghanistan for better future. That's much more shocking
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Jun 28, 2014 07:31am
Broader under standing of on arrival visa is that people from those countries are not threat to their peace and security. By holding the on arrival visa , Srilanka demonstrated that it is not believing Pakistan citizens, Pakistan will similar humiliation till it does not change its direction
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Jun 28, 2014 07:33am
@Muhammed Ali
yes , destruction and evil spirit loves to come to Pakistan
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Jun 28, 2014 07:46am
@Qamar
Being a fourth world country, Pakistan is naturally looked down by third world countries. That is the bitter truth, and yet Pakistanis put up the air that they have descended on earth straight from paradise.
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Jun 28, 2014 07:56am
Before commenting on the issue, the foreign office spoke person should have collected necessary information from the Sri- Lanka's Government on these asylum seekers, such as their identification (Political, Ethnic, Sectarian back ground) and the basis of their seeking asylum.
Secondly, as long as these Government Officials (President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Bureaucrats Etc.) have foreign visas endorsed on their passport, they care a hoot for Pakistanis as the Citizens.
How many foreigners have sought asylum in Pakistan by bad mouthing their country of origin? What is the overall general state of affairs (Political, Economical, Social, Educational, Safety and Security to Life and Property) in Pakistan? Did Emirates Airlines claimed damages for diverting its Flight from Islamabad to Lahore by bad mouthing of Pakistanis? Did Emirates Airlines suspended its Flights to Pakistan on bad mouthing of Pakistanis? Did Terrorist attacked Karachi Airport on bad mouthing of Pakistanis?
I shall much appreciate and be obliged if Ms.Tasneem Aslam would like to answer these questions, rather than maintaining total reservation and silence as is the practice of people in power claiming to be peoples servants..
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Jun 28, 2014 08:14am
This is De-Grading.
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Jun 28, 2014 09:03am
The world is moving towards visa free travel, There is no between EU countries. Why should it not be the same among SAARC countries? Modi, Nawaz and other SAARC leaders should work towards that goal without any further delay.
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Jun 28, 2014 09:14am
@Syed We already need visa to go to Nigeria.
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Jun 28, 2014 10:05am
You pakistanis are forgetting that just yesterday you appointed asma jahangir to persecute the sri lankans.
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Jun 28, 2014 10:22am
A small price to pay for jihad in Kashmir. We need to be faithful to our cause(s).
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Jun 28, 2014 10:24am
First of all, though SL offered this facility to Pakistan, it was not reciprocated by Pakistan. Sri Lankans, though relatively easily, had to get visa always before arrival in Pakistan. So it is a gratuitous offer that is now withdrawn.
Secondly, No Pakistani is actually seeking asylum in Sri Lanka, their aim is finally to reach more prosperous countries. Sri Lanka which so far offered visa on arrival to Pakistan (the only other country offering this facility to Pakistanis is Thailand) was one the doors opened to those genuinely in trouble and also for those seeking economic asylum. They get registered with the UN agencies and go through a difficult time to make their dream come true.
However the main threat does not seem to come from them. It is no secret that many fundamentalist preachers have made use of the opportunity and often overstay their visa. In January 2012, as reported by dawn, 171 of them were deported back to Pakistan. Their influence is being felt now with recent arrests of SL Muslims in Malaysia and India.
It is unfortunate that those making life difficult for Pakistanis in Pakistan are doing the same for Pakistanis in other countries. Feel sorry for those for whom a lifeline is shut.
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Jun 28, 2014 10:51am
@Ahmer
It would be good to do so but there is no peace between our two nations
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Jun 28, 2014 10:51am
@Basit
When Foreign Policy is in the hands of the Military, this is what you get. Most Pakistani missions abroad are stuffed with Intelligence operatives not diplomats. These Intelligence operatives in Sri Lanka used Muslims of that country to forment terrorism in India. After two of those were arrested in India on terror charges the Sri Lankan government woke up and revoked the visa policy, sending a clear message. If you take your blinkers off you will clearly see who has placed Pakistan into the sinkhole where it is wallowing.
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Jun 28, 2014 12:13pm
@Suq Madieq
Criticism is easy, What Pakistan had to go through during the last several years & yet it survived is remarkable. Most of the other countries, if subjected to the same scenario would have evaporated by now.
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Jun 28, 2014 12:22pm
@Allaisa : And a whole lot of other countries are joining the 'Et Tu' brigade, as well, not surprisingly.
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Jun 28, 2014 01:02pm
@Aamir i appreciate your guts to accept the truth.this is a first step for improvement
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Jun 28, 2014 01:25pm
@Md Imran Wow - reference please.
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Jun 28, 2014 01:30pm
@Ranjith should the world apply the same rule not just to Srilankans but all people outside the West.
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Jun 28, 2014 02:50pm
@SLPakistani who told you that thailand offers visa on arrival for pakistanis? no such thing. nepal does an so does maldives....not thailand
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Jun 28, 2014 04:43pm
@MK Didn't Musharaf say that about the violated woman who spoke up? politicians are like that everywhere. Also true that most (not all) refugees are economic and they do just that. Mind you the West did not get any visa to loot us all.
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Jun 28, 2014 06:03pm
Every country has a right to protect its citizens. Srilankan politicians are not like those of our country, blind and corrupt.
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Jun 28, 2014 06:08pm
When I was returning from World Conference on Youth 2014 at Colombo, Sri Lanka on 11th May, 2014; airport officials stopped me for 30 minutes because of an identification issue in between that an officer told me that Pakistanis specially Ahmadis are coming for asylum in Sri Lanka and their quantity is increasing day by day. He suggested me to request government and human right based agencies to do some thing to stop them coming to Sri Lanka as it is expected that a problem will arise due to it soon.
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Jun 28, 2014 10:07pm
The On Arrival Visa Facility has scrapped for all in Sri Lanka since April 2014. Now what they have done everyone has to apply for ETA before you travel to Sri Lanka. If your ETA is approved you will will be allowed to travel to Sri Lanka. It takes approx. 24 hours for confirmation.
URL : http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
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Jun 29, 2014 03:56am
What an idiotic statement by foreign office personal that they dont care about the pakistani people who have taken asylum in Srilanka. Due to their activities, Sri lanka has punished the whole pakistan so they should care of the whole issue.
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Jun 29, 2014 05:35am
@AJamal This is absolutely true.
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Jun 29, 2014 11:23am
@Arun dont you read news paper about ISI involvement in encouraging terrorists to use Srilanka as a base to conducting terror attacked in south india?
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Jun 29, 2014 11:48am
@Ahmer Does you want terrorists move freely in SARC countries? some of the sarc countries are still peaceful and please do not disturb that.
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Jun 30, 2014 01:58am
@taufeeq
You are right brother. .many are close to eating grass to burn our nuclear candle....somehow our psyche must change..
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Jun 30, 2014 02:05am
@AJamal Just because of your these stupid mentalist,with a cry always Muslims are killed,in other nation,this development.Come on my friend,come out of this and try to be in Humanity,where in your passports are highly valued
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Jun 30, 2014 02:12am
@Basit
Seriously......?
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Jun 30, 2014 02:18am
Conspiracy against Islam...
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Jun 30, 2014 02:05pm
@krishnan Indians are forced for Visa in Sri Lanka due to bitter history between Sri Lankans & Tamils
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Jun 30, 2014 03:25pm
@Md Imran
Show us the EU link.
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Jul 01, 2014 06:09am
@Modi
In india even supporting any green sports team, people are harrased and thrown into jail.....yeah we see incrediblr india too...lolz
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Jul 01, 2014 06:13am
the replies by indians are damn funny as if sri lanka is super power!!!LOLz
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Jul 02, 2014 10:08am
@SLPakistani Best comment on the thread.
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