Almost 4000 Ukrainians are stranded in Sri Lanka and cannot return to their country where a Russian invasion entered the third day on Saturday. Those stranded in the island country are mostly tourists. 

Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism confirmed close to 4000 Ukrainian tourists are stuck. Most visas will expire within 30 days, reported Morning news.

However, given the conditiosn back home where a fierce battle continues in several cities, including the capital Kyiv, Sri Lankan authorities have hinted that their visa will be extended. On Thursday, dozens of Ukrainians also held protests in front of the Russian Embassy in Colombo. 

Authorities have instructed travel agents to facilitate their stay in Sri Lanka. In absence of direct flights, the authorities said they would facilitate the travel through a third country.  

Sri Lanka, which greatly relies on the tourism industry for foreign exchange reserves, is among popular tourist destinations for Russians and Ukrainians, whose nations are at war now. 

In the last three months, tourist inflow from these countries has been increasing significantly. The distant war will once again impact the recovery of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, which has been already reeling from an energy and foreign exchange crisis. 

 (SAM)