AROUND THE WORLD tees to Britain.
Since the so-called peace accord in Sri Lanka, the British goverment has been arguing that no refugee from Sri Lanka need be admitted to Britain. This is despite the riots which occurred in Sri Lanka since the accord, the assassination of a "liberal" Sinhalese member of parliament and an attempt to kill the prime minister. The peace accord has not brought stability to the island.
The same arguments have been used to justify the deportation of Viraj Mendis. A Sinhalese revolutionary who has been living in Britain for 14 years, Viraj Mendis took sanctuary in a church in Manchester in December this year to avoid deportation by the Home Office. [See IV 112, January 26, 1987.]
They are determined to deport Mendis because his case has become a national symbol of the fight against the immigration laws. The media have been forced to report on his case thanks to a nationwide campaign. On July 11, 4,000 people demonstrated in Manchester in support of Mendis.
The Viraj Mendis Defence Campaign has been able to mobilize support from the Church, including from the Bishop of Manchester. Such support has made it difficult for the Home Office to send police into the church to arrest and deport Viraj Mendis.
But since the June general election, moves appear to be underfoot to do just that. The Home Office and police have been intent on breaking the links between the defence campaign and the Church, using pressure, slander tactics and even physical attacks.
The defence campaign is continuing to build support for Mendis' right to stay. Letters of support are needed to step-up pressure on the Home Office to reverse their deportation decision. Send copies to the Bishop of Manchester, Bishop Court, Bury New Road, Manchester M7 OLE, GB; and to the Viraj Mendis Defence Campaign, c/o North Hulme Centre, Jackson Crescent, Manchester M15, GB. * Finn Jensen
EUTE WIN IT, 27 September 14, 1987 • International Viewpoint