×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
16
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 14°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Sri Lanka expels 200 Islamic clerics

Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said the clerics had entered the country legally

Newsroom May 8 11:50

Sri Lanka expelled over 600 foreign nationals, including around 200 Islamic clerics, since the Easter suicide bombings blamed on a local terror group, a minister told AFP.

>Related articles

Sophia Zacharaki: She contacted the Patriarch of Antioch on the terrorist attack in Damascus

Terrorist attack in New Orleans: authorities are investigating the perpetrator’s connection with ISIS – Trump links it to illegal immigration

Terrorist attack with 10 dead in New Orleans: The attacker was a man, wanted to kill – He shot and wounded 2 police officers

Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said the clerics had entered the country legally, but amid a security crackdown after the attacks were found to have overstayed their visas, for which fines were imposed and they were expelled from the island.

“Considering the current situation in the country, we have reviewed the visas system and took a decision to tighten visa restrictions for religious teachers,” Abeywardena said.
“Out of those who were sent out, about 200 were Islamic preachers.”
The Easter Sunday bombings that killed 257 people and wounded nearly 500 were led by a local cleric who is known to have travelled to India and had made contact with terrorists there.

source: ndtv.com

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#Sri Lanka bombings#terrorist attack
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

X is down, thousands report problems

January 16, 2026

“Her father cut her hair because she asked to go to a hair salon, they never gave her money”: New testimonies about Laura

January 16, 2026

Rama persists after rant at Greek journalist and questions the link between “Greek speakers” and Plato and Aristotle

January 16, 2026

CIA chief in Venezuela meets with Rodriguez

January 16, 2026

Less alcohol and lower speeds with the new Highway Code and strict fines

January 16, 2026

The historic cafes of Athens: 12 legendary hangouts lost to time

January 16, 2026

Why seasonal flu is so “aggressive” this year: An infectious disease specialist from “Sotiria” explains the two main causes

January 16, 2026

Mitsotakis attends the inauguration of the renovated Emergency Department at Red Cross Hospital

January 16, 2026
All News

> Lifestyle

A treat for readers: Dior, bags, and literature

The fashion house Dior starts 2026 with a dreamy new campaign

January 16, 2026

Sophie Turner’s first photo as Lara Croft released for Tomb Raider series

January 15, 2026

Vicky Chatzivasileiou: “I never gave up anything for television — It’s not my whole life”

January 15, 2026

Nikki Glaser reveals jokes cut from her Golden Globes hosting set

January 15, 2026

Next-level skylines: The towers transforming cities in 2026

January 13, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα