Sign in Subscribe
Emigration and immigration

Five Jewish Rabbis Arrested in Sri Lanka for Performing Kosher on Poultry Products with Visit Visa

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Preliminary inquiries into the raid on a chicken processing plant in Mirigama revealed that five Jewish Rabbis, including three Israelis, two Australians, and one Italian, arrived in Sri Lanka recently on a visit visa to perform the Kosher tradition. The Rabbis were making poultry products satisfying the requirements of Jewish laws, which were then intended to be purchased by Chabad Houses and sent to the Jewish population in Arugam Bay. However, their activities were deemed illegal as no work-related activity is permitted on a tourist visa. This incident marks the first time such activity has come to light in Sri Lanka, where foreign religious practitioners must obtain prior clearance from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five Jewish Rabbis, including three Israelis, two Australians, and one Italian, were arrested by the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) for performing Kosher on poultry products with a visit visa in Sri Lanka.
  • The Rabbis were performing Kosher traditions to make poultry products satisfying the requirements of Jewish laws, which were to be purchased by Chabad Houses and sent to the Jewish population in Arugam Bay.
  • Acting on a tip, DIE officials raided a chicken processing plant in Mirigama and took the Rabbis into custody.
  • The arrested Rabbis are to be removed from the country shortly after recording statements.
  • The DIE has made several recent arrests on foreign religious leaders performing preaching with visit visas.
  • The Rabbis could have obtained a business visa to perform their task, according to the Immigration and Emigration official.

Statistics:

  • 5 Jewish Rabbis were arrested by the DIE for performing Kosher on poultry products with a visit visa.
  • 3 of the Rabbis were from Israel, and the rest were from Australia or Italy.
  • 2 of the Israeli nationals had arrived in Sri Lanka in March and May, while the rest arrived in the first week of June.
  • The arrested Rabbis were performing their activities at a commercial venture, which is not allowed on a visit visa.
  • This is the first time such activity has been reported in Sri Lanka.

Sources:

  • Daily Mirror (no date mentioned)
  • Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE)

Read more