Ombudsman urged to probe claims of bias against Sri Lankan visitors

The ombudsman has been asked to investigate a complaint by a Sri Lankan man that the Immigration Department has consistently discriminated against visitors from the Indian Ocean island to Hong Kong.

A delegation from Colombo, including senior officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Immigration and Emigration, held talks last week with Hong Kong immigration officials after many Sri Lankans were denied entry to the city despite possessing valid visas.

In August last year, Sri Lankan passport holders lost 30-day visa-free access to Hong Kong and must now obtain visas.

But Hong Kong immigration lawyer Sarath Dissanayake and resident Fahmy Jowharsha said even a visa did not guarantee problem-free entry for Sri Lankans.

Mr Jowharsha said he was tired of the discrimination that bona fide travellers to the city faced on the basis of skin colour, while Mr Dissanayake said he had received dozens of calls from Sri Lankans turned back on arrival in Hong Kong.

When Mr Jowharsha's nephew, Mohamed Zeshan Mahir, visited Hong Kong in December with his wife, baby and brother-in-law, they were interviewed for three hours before being allowed entry despite holding valid visas.