The Foreign Correspondents Association (FCA) said it was "unaware of any time limits on visas issued to foreign journalists posted to Sri Lanka", following reports that the BBC journalist Charles Haviland was refused a one-year visa extension, on the grounds that he had completed five years as a foreign correspondent in Sri Lanka.
Rejecting reports that Mr. Haviland's visa had been denied, officials at the ministry stressed that it had in fact been extended, by three months, reported the Nation.
Media Minister and government spokesperson, Keheliya Rambukwella, was quoted in Ceylon Today as saying,
Mr. Haviland's most recent feature on Sri Lanka and the North-East, examined apparent economic growth in Jaffna including the introduction of a traffic light.
Rejecting reports that Mr. Haviland's visa had been denied, officials at the ministry stressed that it had in fact been extended, by three months, reported the Nation.
Media Minister and government spokesperson, Keheliya Rambukwella, was quoted in Ceylon Today as saying,
"It would be unfair to permit any foreigner to live in the country for long periods, let alone journalists,"Pointing out that the five year time limit also extended to international NGO workers, the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, Charitha Herath tweeted,
"He has stayed in the country for over five years, and we have granted him a further three-month extension on that visa. Granting him any further extension would be unreasonable."
“Sri Lanka visa policy for foreign correspondents is maximum five years. Some of them are here more than 9, 10 years,”Calling on the Media Ministry to highlight the policies in question, the FCA, in a statement issued today, pointed out that the current policy on the website of the External Affairs Ministry, "makes no reference to how long a foreign journalist can work in Sri Lanka".
Mr. Haviland's most recent feature on Sri Lanka and the North-East, examined apparent economic growth in Jaffna including the introduction of a traffic light.