The Government will lobby against Sri Lankans being categorized as ‘high risk’, at a high level discussion which is set to take place soon between the Ministry of External affairs and the British High Commissioner John Rankin.
The British High Commission said recently it would charge a bond of 3000 pounds sterling from selected applicants applying from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana.
“We will not require all visitors from the selected countries to pay a bond. The number of bonds issued during the pilot project will be limited. The pilot project will be highly selective and focused on the highest risk applicants” the High Commission said in a statement.
Sri Lanka is also set to lobby for its removal from the list of countries whose citizens may fall into a “high risk” category.
At discussions the secretary to the Ministry Karunaratne Amunugama and British High Commissioner John Rankin on Monday, the ministry had sought an explanation regarding the bond.
“Mr. Rankin explained that this was only a pilot project and the bond will have to be signed only by those who were earlier rejected or fell below the normal category of entrants to Britain. We are told that this will only be charged from high risk applicants with a risk of not returning back,” Mr. Amunugama said.
The Ministry said during the meeting, factors such as removing Sri Lanka from the list while ensuring the minimising of people from over staying or illegally seeking residence in Britain would be discussed. (Hafeel Farisz)
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
