Family plea over asylum

There is conflict between the Tamill Tigers and the Sri Lankan army

A Sri Lankan family who face deportation from Northern Ireland have pleaded with the Home Office to reverse its decision over their asylum status.

Somasundram Pandara Nagarasa fled from his homeland with his wife and children after his son was killed when they were caught up in conflict between the Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan army.

The family sought asylum in the UK in 2001 and finally set up home in the province.

However, their claim to stay in Northern Ireland now has reached the end of the line.

Suma told the BBC: "My family life in Sri Lanka was really in fear and danger. We were really, really scared.

"When I was doing some transport, I carried some goods, and unintentionally I was carrying goods for Tamil Tigers, so that's why the Sri Lankan army killed my son.

"They thought I was supporting the Tamil Tigers and I was detained."

The family's plight been supported by more than 100 people, including politicians from all the main parties, as well as various human rights and ethnic minority groups.

On Thursday night, a campaign to get the Home Office to reverse its decision was launched at Newtownbreda High School, where three of the children have been pupils.

The family's lawyer Martin Brennan attended the event.

"The adjudicator took the view that the situation that they were now returning to in Sri Lanka was such that it would be permissible to return the family there," he said.

"There is a ceasefire, albeit a very tenuous ceasefire, in Sri Lanka.

"In fact, since then it looks like the situation has dis-improved and that war again is imminent."

Suma's daughter Kousalya is currently a pupil at the school and waiting to receive her GCSE results.

Principal Norman Upritchard said was a particularly testing time for her.

"A 16-year-old girl who would be understandably stressed waiting for exam results under normal circumstances, but to have this as well," he said.

Cautious optimism

"But we do feel that really things are so desperate now that we do have to go high-profile and we do have to have a campaign."

Mr Brennan said there had been very successful campaigns in England.

"I think this is the first one of this nature here. This is a very hard working industrious family," he said.

"Mr Somasundram works tirelessly for organisations like the Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul, so it is hoped that the family will get the support of the public to obtain leave to remain in Northern Ireland."

Suma is cautiously optimistic that he and his family might get the result they want.

"I am very happy that many people are willing to support me," he said. "I believe that I can stay here."