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Holidaying Brits condemn fingerprinting of Lankans
By Aubrey Kuruppu in Kandy

FINGER-PRINTING SYSTEM BROKEN
The computer system and the finger-printing machine at the visa section of the British High Commission went bust last week resulting in many applicants being turned away.

The internal application programme had been out of service on last week. As a result the officials were unable to process the visa applications. The applicants had been kept waiting and eventually asked to return the next day.

British cricket enthusiasts now on holiday in Sri Lanka have spoken out against the British Government's decision to finger print Sri Lankans who seek to enter Britain.
These are the views of some of those who were interviewed. Anthony Mercer of Essex: I am surprised. Why are the Sri Lankans singled out ? The Sri Lankans in England are well behaved.

Graeme Copas of Berkshire: It seems unfair. Is the British government suspicious of their motives ? The track record of Sri Lankans in England is not bad. The UK has problems with a large number of immigrants. If they apply to stay, British immigration can sort it out. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. Why do they want to leave ?

Peter Meggs of Essex: Lots of people are coming to England. There is a certain affinity with Sri Lanka. I feel it's very wrong. I know a lot of Sri Lankans. Hope you will be successful in changing the attitude of the British government. The Sri Lankans are a very friendly and nice people, more than a lot of immigrants to England are. This is my third visit. I have a lot of Sri Lankan friends.

Kevin Farmer of Canterbury: Personally, we don't have to do that, to come here. Treating everyone like a criminal is totally wrong. Not fair. If you must do so, do it to every nationality. Liberty is at issue here. Derek Mountfield of Watford: There must be a good reason why they do that. Simple as that. It might be done in other countries too. Its not discriminatory, just tightening procedures.

Paul Green of London: It should apply to everybody. I wouldn't object to everybody in England being fingerprinted. Its ridiculous. Why should Sri Lankans be singled out.
Nigel Jones of South Normington: I am not politically minded. Run of the mill. It's not fair if it is only for Sri Lankans.

The Sri Lankans are very friendly. I have had no bad experiences with any of them. They mix well. There should be one rule for everybody. David Woods of London (Shropshire): If Sri Lankans have passports and identification cards, they shouldn't be finger printed. Obviously, the British government has got to trace people. No need to go further than that.

Margaret Watson of London: If the documents are in order, there shouldn't be anything else. Yours is a Commonwealth country. We do have good relations with Sri Lanka.

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