Colombo, May 3 (IANS) The Sri Lankan government has ordered the deportation of all foreigners who are currently in the island nation without visas and also those who over-staying their visas, the media reported on Friday.

On Thursday, Internal and Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana instructed the Controller of Emigration and Immigration to take immediate steps to begin the deportation process, the Daily Mirror reported.

The development comes following Abeywardana's discussion with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Muslim Religious Affairs Minister M.H.A.Haleem on Wednesday.