COLOMBO ~ Sri Lanka has started imposing fines on foreigners overstaying their visas in a bid to crack down on illegal employment, the top immigration controller said.

Foreigners who overstay face fines between US$25 to $100 under new laws that went into effect last week, said Controller of Immigration and Emigration B. Abeykoon.

“Around 600 foreigners were deported last year without a fine but we believe the actual number of those overstaying is much higher,” Abeykoon said, adding that the figure could be more than 10,000.

Most foreign nationals are given a 30-day visa on arrival in Colombo. Sri Lanka recently relaxed visa restrictions on nationals from South Asian nations as part of moves to encourage regional tourism.

Those overstaying have been caught working illegally at construction sites, in farms and even operating casinos and massage parlors.

Last year, immigration authorities closed down an internet-based commercial sex service run by foreign nationals.