A Tamil man who feared for his life after facing deportation from the United Kingdom has won the right to stay in the UK, after residents in his Welsh village rallied around him.
Rakuvaran Parameswaran, a 25 year old man who fled the island in 2005, has been in the UK since he was 13. Originally from Puthukkudiyiruppu, his parents sent him from the island as fighting began to intensify, with the Sri Lankan military preparing to launch a major offensive in the Tamil North-East.
“My parents sent me to the UK when I was 13 to keep me safe,” said Mr Parameswaran. “I never heard from them again.”
Granted with only temporary permission Mr Parameswaran faed the prospect of being deported to Sri Lanka, unless he could prove his parents had died. “I wanted to apply for permanent residence but the rules for applying were changed and I was never told,” he said. “I really don’t want to go back to Sri Lanka, I fear I will be killed and I have no family left there.
The local village of Northop Hall, where Mr Parameswaran currently lives and works, rallied behind his cause. Hundreds of locals signed a petition and wrote to the Home Office in support of him.
“I have had lots of support from the customers, I thank them from the bottom of my heart for helping me,” he added. “This is my home, I want to stay here. I’ve lived here for 10 years and I’ve never done anything criminal.
“I’m still alive today because my parents sent me here.”
Read more from the Daily Post here.
Rakuvaran Parameswaran, a 25 year old man who fled the island in 2005, has been in the UK since he was 13. Originally from Puthukkudiyiruppu, his parents sent him from the island as fighting began to intensify, with the Sri Lankan military preparing to launch a major offensive in the Tamil North-East.
“My parents sent me to the UK when I was 13 to keep me safe,” said Mr Parameswaran. “I never heard from them again.”
Granted with only temporary permission Mr Parameswaran faed the prospect of being deported to Sri Lanka, unless he could prove his parents had died. “I wanted to apply for permanent residence but the rules for applying were changed and I was never told,” he said. “I really don’t want to go back to Sri Lanka, I fear I will be killed and I have no family left there.
The local village of Northop Hall, where Mr Parameswaran currently lives and works, rallied behind his cause. Hundreds of locals signed a petition and wrote to the Home Office in support of him.
“I have had lots of support from the customers, I thank them from the bottom of my heart for helping me,” he added. “This is my home, I want to stay here. I’ve lived here for 10 years and I’ve never done anything criminal.
“I’m still alive today because my parents sent me here.”
Read more from the Daily Post here.