Britain said that any visa application from Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera of Bodu Bala Sena would be considered in accordance with the Immigration Rules.In response to a question whether they (UK government) have any plans to ban Ven. Gnanasara Thera, from entering the United Kingdom, Minister of State for Crime Prevention and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction Lord Taylor of Holbeach said the Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases, because the Home Office has obligations in law to protect this information.
“I can confirm that any visa application from Ven.Gnanasara Thera would be considered in accordance with the Immigration Rules,” he told UK Parliament.
He also said: “Under the Prevent strategy, the Unacceptable Behaviours policy has prevented a cross section of extremists from entering the UK. This includes excluding individuals for public speaking or publishing material that foments, justifies or glorifies terrorist violence or fosters hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK or otherwise can be demonstrated as providing support for extremists.”
“Coming to the UK is a privilege we refuse to extend to those who would subvert our shared values,” he added.
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
