Ten Sri Lankans vanish from Commonwealth Games
Ten members of Sri Lanka’s Commonwealth Games contingent in Birmingham have disappeared in a suspected attempt to remain in Britain, a top sports official from the island nation told AFP on Sunday.
The nine athletes and a manager vanished after completing their events, the official said, requesting anonymity.
Three of them – a judoka, her manager, and wrestler – had disappeared last week.
That prompted a police complaint by the Sri Lankan officials.
“Since then, another seven have vanished,” the official said, without identifying them.
“We suspect they want to remain in the UK, possibly to get employment.”
The 160-strong Sri Lankan contingent’s management possessed the passports of all members to ensure they returned home.
That failed to deter some from leaving.
British police located the first three that disappeared, but as they had not violated local laws and held visas valid for six months, no action was taken, the Sri Lankan official told AFP.
“In fact, the police got us to return the passports that we were holding as a deterrent against defections,” the official said.
“The police have not told us about their whereabouts.”
(AFP)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- IMF Chief hails Sri Lanka’s economic reforms as milestones mark recovery November 27, 2024
- 2024 A/L Examination postponed: New dates announced November 26, 2024
- Sri Lanka Defence Secretary graces 53rd Bangladesh Armed Forces Day November 26, 2024
- MP Ramanathan Archchuna faces arrest warrant over 2021 traffic incident November 26, 2024
- Court orders Arjuna Mahendran to appear over 2015 treasury bond case November 26, 2024
If their asylum applications are successful, they have a guaranteed future in Rwanda. If not, they will be hunted by the authorities and deported with the ‘persona non grata’ and other stamps on their passports making it impossible to obtain visa for any other decent country in future. Quite deserving after the disgrace they brought to the name ‘Sri Lanka’ on top of the glorious publicity ‘Aragaraya’ brought. If they wanted to do this, should have done personally, not as a part of the SL team visiting for Commonwealth games. Fortress Europe also is pretty formidable these days if you are trying to sneak in with a black skin and the additional language problem.
British police located the first three that disappeared, but as they had not violated local laws and held visas valid for six months, no action was taken, the Sri Lankan official told AFP.” So, why worry? No one has violated any rule (except abandoning the SL crew). Let them enjoy for 6 months and return to our motherland SL.
Of course. If they have 6 months valid visa, thy can stay. Just wonder why they did not even bother to say ‘bye’ to the friend and officials in the squad!!
Amarakoon,
These children who gain opportunity to compete in international sport are being misdirected by the likes of AKD and Sunil Handunnneti and Lal Kantha and their new smiley lady leader and by Stalin the PEST.
Unfortunately, these children will learn the lessons of life the hard way.
Amarakoon You are right. Not only et them enjoy for 6 months and return also work and earn before they return. My local car wash is 100% illegal workers, I know this and the government know this. If they like and enjoy doing this job what matters. If not who is going to do these jobs. Nothing wrong with as the government knows that they are not obliged to pay medical fees, pentons, insurance or welfare benefit to these in line with the citizen of this country, After 6 months they go home. They are happy and the government is happy. And I am happy my car is clean. By the way a Pizza delivery person on a bicycle earn about £100 a night, more than Rs 45000 a day. Not bad at all.
Yeah, An experienced White man Toilet Cleaner called Ranjith earns more the EP + PM put together.
Good on you Ranjith, make sure the H2S doesn’t get to your brain, if you have one.
By the way Ranjith, please don’t corrupt the youthful athletes; they need not follow your path to GLORY.
Sorry I should have addressyou as Mr Amarakoon .
Roxie. I have been to about 40 countries and I haven’t found this white man you are talking about. By the way for your information I live in Spain and Sri Lanka. I am not a half cast stupide fart like you begging from rest of the world for food etc,
Oh Ranjith,
You live in Spain with the Spanish? The ladies sure fart a lot!!
OMG, cannot believe it.
Ranjith, next time when you visit SL, come to Godaparagahahena which is the centre of our Mathroobhoomi !!
Wow, washing toilets in 40 countries? You really must be in Guinness Book of World Records! Besides that, how could you find this white man when he was always behind you and you were admiring the patterns on the bed sheet?