التصنيف: أخبار

Thousands of Russian and Ukrainian tourists who moved to Sri Lanka amid the war in Ukraine could be forced to leave after a “whites only” party was allegedly advertised at a Russian-run nightclub.

A poster for a “White Party” last weekend at the Sarayka Lounge, in the popular resort town of Unawatuna, specified a white dress code, as is normal for such events.

However, the poster, which was shared online widely, also included a line saying “Face Control: White,” prompting outrage from people who interpreted it as meaning none-white people would not be allowed in.

Shortly after the anger erupted in the southern coastal town, authorities in the South Asian country said they were cancelling long-term tourist visa extensions.

But President Ranil Wickremesinghe raised doubts over whether the government would go through with the cancellations as they would threaten much-needed tourist income, according to Sky News’ US partner network NBC news.

The country of 22 million people has been struggling with an economic crisis since declaring bankruptcy two years ago with more than £65bn in debt.

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Authority said Russian and Ukrainian tourists must leave the country by 7 March, after the expiration of their final free visa extension.

The Immigration Department had said last month that the visas were being extended due to the “non-operation of airlines in the region” but the commissioner-general of immigration has since said the flight situation had “normalised”.

However, the president ordered an investigation into the notice, saying the visas could not be cancelled without cabinet approval.

“The government hasn’t officially decided to revoke visa extensions previously granted to these tourists,” his office said in a post on X.

After many countries placed restrictions on Russian nationals following the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, many flocked to Sri Lanka when it effectively offered near-indefinite stays.

Nearly 200,000 Russians and 5,000 Ukrainians visited the country last year, according to Sri Lanka’s tourism department.

It’s unclear how many of those remained in the country beyond the usual 30-day duration of a tourist visa.

But thousands are believed to have remained – including many attempting to avoid being drafted into the military.

It is also unclear whether the end of the visa extensions was related to the recent outcry over the alleged “whites only” event.

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In a post on Instagram last Friday, the bar said it had cancelled the event, where three Russian DJs were due to perform, and “will never support various racist statements or organisations.”

A user who claimed to be one of the party’s organisers apologised, saying “There was no malice or racism in this.”

“We wanted to meet expats who have been living here for a long time and love Sri Lanka,” the user said, adding that he and his family had to leave the island due to abuse and threats.

In a statement, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said, “according to unconfirmed data, the main promoter as well as the owners of a bar who agreed to accommodate the party are Russian citizens”.

Russia “strongly condemns all forms of racial discrimination,” it added, saying it expected citizens to follow local laws and customs.

New satellite imagery reveals construction work at a former Wagner Group base at Modibo Keita International Airport in Mali.

High-resolution imagery obtained by Sky News offers the first detailed picture of this site since the death of the Wagner Group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in August 2023.

Since then, the organisation has been taken in-house, with its functions absorbed by the Russian Defence Ministry.

The remnants of the Wagner Group are now reportedly being operated as Russia’s “Expeditionary Corps”.

When he died, Prigozhin’s death prompted speculation concerning the future of Russian influence and military presence in Africa.

For years, the Wagner Group played a key role in supporting aligned regimes across the continent, while profiting from arrangements such as mining and logging concessions.

Construction at former Wagner base

Captured by Maxar on 26 February, the satellite imagery obtained by Sky News suggests the Russian state remains committed to the development of its presence in Mali.

It shows construction at the site of Wagner’s former base at Modibo Keita International Airport, Mali’s main airport located approximately 15km from the capital Bamako.

In recent months, new buildings and roads appear to have been completed, a large area of ground has been cleared, and excavations have begun in two areas.

Reviewing the imagery, defence intelligence agency Janes stated that two of the larger new features resemble a possible new administrative building and revetted storage area.

In addition to showing the progress of construction at this site, the imagery suggests it is significantly more active than it has appeared in the past.

Over 40 vehicles of varying sizes are present, compared with a handful in July.

Russian activity in the region

Expansion and increased activity at this site suggest Prigozhin’s death and the subsequent reorganisation of the Wagner Group’s operations have not dulled the Russian government’s interest in maintaining a presence in Mali and the wider region.

In recent months, recruitment advertisements for Russia’s Africa Corps have circulated on Telegram, touting “high payments, free medical care”, and “service under the leadership of competent commanders”.

The country now enjoys positive relations with numerous regimes across the Sahel region, where it has sought to exploit areas of declining Western influence.

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The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open-source information. Through multimedia storytelling, we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.