Colombo, August 2, 2025 — The government’s decision to grant visa-free entry to Israeli tourists has come under intense criticism, with Opposition Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman publicly urging President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reverse the policy, citing ethical, diplomatic, and national security concerns.
In a detailed letter addressed to the President this week, MP Rahman described the move as a “betrayal of Sri Lanka’s historic stance on Palestine,” warning that such a decision undermines decades of bipartisan solidarity with the Palestinian people. “Our country, for generations, has stood with Palestine in international forums. This decision walks us back from that principled path,” he wrote.
The MP also raised concerns over potential intelligence operations and irregular long-term stays by certain Israeli nationals, alleging that some arrivals do not follow typical tourist behavior. “Why do we treat certain nationalities with unchecked hospitality while ignoring the patterns that raise red flags?” he questioned.
Rahman’s letter sparked debate within opposition ranks and among civil society groups, many of whom have echoed the call for greater scrutiny of foreign nationals entering under Sri Lanka’s new relaxed visa regime. Critics of the policy say it was rolled out hastily, without a proper review of its security implications or public sentiment.
Government officials, when approached for comment, defended the policy as part of a broader tourism recovery strategy aimed at reviving the economy after years of stagnation. “This is not about geopolitics, it’s about growing our tourism numbers,” a senior tourism official said on condition of anonymity.
However, the fallout continues, with some parliamentarians warning that the decision could strain Sri Lanka’s relations with nations in the Global South and within the Non-Aligned Movement, where Sri Lanka has historically championed the Palestinian cause.
As of today, the government has not issued a formal response to Rahman’s letter. But pressure is building, and observers suggest the administration may be forced to either clarify its position or reconsider the inclusion of Israel in the visa-free list in the coming weeks.
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