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British mission delaying Mangala's visa
The British High Commission has delayed issuing a visa to SLFP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera sparking speculation on the pending case filed in the Supreme Court by the MP against the UK fingerprinting system introduced at the High Commission.

The British High Commission grants visas to parliamentarians for their travel and Mr Samaraweera has been a frequent visitor to Britain. Mr. Samaraweera told The Sunday Times that for the past 25 years, he had been traveling to Britain and never did he have to send his secretary twice or thrice to get the visa.

"Generally I send the visa application through my Secretary who is given the visa over the counter. Last Monday I did the same but my Secretary was asked to come back on Thursday. When he went on Friday he was told that the Visa section is closed and wanted him to come back on Monday" said Mr. Samaraweera. Mr. Samaraweera added that he was not sure whether the visa will be handed over to the Secretary or whether he himself would be called.

However The Sunday Times learns that the British High Commission has called Mr Samaraweera for an interview to grant him the visa. A British High Commission official, however declined to comment on the matter, neither confirming nor denying the matter.

"I have no problem in going there myself, but I was a little surprised when they did this, as I have never had a problem before. It's too early to comment as to why they delayed issuing the visa, or even whether there was a connection to the court case," Mr. Samaraweera said.

Mr. Samarweera along with his coordinating secretary has filed legal action against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for allowing the British High Commission to introduce a fingerprinting system as a pilot project to screen visitors to Britain. The case which is pending created much controversy. The screening system, which included fingerprinting, came under fire in Sri Lanka and the Government was seen as submitting to British pressures.

Meanwhile, the Opposition last week called on the government to look into complaints lodged by Sri Lankans on the non-refundable payments made when applying for British holiday working visas. The matter was brought up by the Opposition during the Foreign Ministry vote in Parliament last week.

Colombo district PA MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra said a lot of young people are rushing to the British High Commission to obtain the visa, but are not getting refunds when their applications were turned down.

"I was told that on a daily basis about 300 applications are submitted. The applicants have to go through the finger printing procedure and make a non refundable payment of Rs 5760. Once they go to collect the visa, they are rejected. In addition, their passports are endorsed with the reject seal."

He called on the Government to look into the matter as the young people were misled by this system. Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando told the House that he too had received complaints regarding this system.

"However it is a matter for the relevant country to decide on how they give the visa. But the Government will certainly look into the non-refundable payment. Maybe even to pay back half the money," Mr. Fernando said.

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