Viraj returns to his refuge

Carl Palmer

September 14, 2004

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HAPPY RETURN: Viraj Mendis with Dean Methuen

HAPPY RETURN: Viraj Mendis with Dean Methuen 1/2 Play Slideshow

FORMER political refugee Viraj Mendis, who took refuge in a Manchester church for two years, was back in the city today - with a smile on his face.

The last time he was seen at the Church of the Ascension on Stretford Road, Hulme, he was still in his pyjamas as police carried him wrapped in a blanket and screaming "Murderers".

But today he put the trauma of that day in 1989 behind him to raise a broad grin and joke: "I've even got a visa."

Mr Mendis will be speaking at several meetings in Derby, Birmingham, London, Brighton and Ripon, but his visit to Manchester today was just to say "hello" and go back to the church where he sheltered in a room measuring 10ft by 15ft.

Before leaving to return to Bremen in Germany with his wife Karen, he said: "It is wonderful to be back here, though the memories I have are a mixture of good and bad. It is more good than sad, though, because of the fantastic support I had from many people."

Mr Mendis, 47, added: "The meetings I have been attending are small scale, to talk about the drift towards war in Sri Lanka. I will be back in Manchester next Tuesday to speak at the Friends Meeting House.

"I'm hoping many of the people who supported me when I was at the church in Hulme will come along. It would be great to see them so I could again say thank you for all they did to help me."

Mr Mendis was deported as an illegal immigrant after 16 years in the country. He had arrived in 1973 on a 12-month student visa. To defy a High Court deportation order, he took sanctuary in the Church of the Ascension.

He had been an outspoken supporter of Sri Lankan Tamils and feared for his life if he returned home.

He was given refuge in the church in December 1986 by Fr John Methuen, now the Dean of Ripon, but was arrested there on January 18, 1989, and flown back to Sri Lanka.

In June the same year, Mr Mendis married Karen Roberts, one of his Manchester supporters. In 1990 Karen moved to Germany where, after six months, Viraj joined her.

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Ricky Gee, Whitefield (14/09/2004 at 13:09)

Ahh....what a coincidence! Like our Pakistani Councillor, Viraj believed he would be killed if he returned home.......and went home and is still alive..

john pintus, radcliffe, manchester (14/09/2004 at 13:47)

How right our government were to deport him back in 1989. His life was clearly not in danger as he suffered no threats to his life in Sri Lanka.

realist, manchester (14/09/2004 at 19:21)

maybe viraj would like to explain why he stayed in england for 16 years on a 12 month visa?

Karen Mendis, Bremen, Germany (16/09/2004 at 17:22)

I would like to point out two important facts to those readers who in their ignorance put forward their view that Viraj had not faced danger when he was deported to Sri Lanka. Firstly, it was because of the blaze of publicity our campaign had received that helped to secure his life. It would have been highly embarrassing for the government if he had disappeared or been killed. Secondly, for added security and in order to maintain the publicity, we sent over numerous people to act as bodygaurds and witnesses the last one being a journalist who witnessed direct threats. It was only because we had brave and committed human rights defenders and a vibrant campaign that Viraj is alive today. So if the fact that he lives and breathes causes you great anguish , I wonder who will be around to help you through your tormented and disturbed lives.

Karen Mendis,
Bremen, Germany

anon, manchester (19/09/2004 at 14:25)

i think its pretty obvious why he outstayed his visa..because he was in danger....it does not makle him a criminal and it does not mean he has come to get benefits unlike most scrounging people born here.

just because he wasnt killed that was not proof that he was lying and wasnt in need.

what do u want for him to go back and us to wait until he gets killed before we belive that he is in danger..and for us to help...

why do u think he has left again.....

him and the pakistani councillor were in danger..and i know u dont like to think that is true but it is....what makes it so hard to grasp....they cant legaly get asylum in britain...its impossible..so they have been put in a position where they have no choice but to break the law....the goverment is making needy people in the wrong

why is it that u think a asylum seeker is bad....they were in hell back home..not a bad day like we privaliged people get here npow and then

we are so lucky to have never had any days as bad as them....even when we had the 1st and 2nd 'world' wars...it is was never as bad as their situation in their countries now....stop being so ignorant....

u have never had anything really bad happen like that .u live pampered lives..u have homes and food .not war.......u are too spoilt in life..be grateful for once and more open minded!!

I hope viraj has a nice life that is not blighted by ignorat people like some of you.

Mr Memory, Canada (20/09/2004 at 06:32)

As a student in Manchester from 1986-89, I recall the VMDC very well and occasionally wondered what happened since.
It is wonderful to hear that Mr Mendis is alive and well, and that the prominence of the campaign may have helped to protect him in Sri Lanka. It is good too, to hear that he found a lawful safe haven in Germany.
However, it is also good that the rule of law prevailed in the UK, that an illegal immigrant was deported, and that that nonsense about sanctuary was put an end to by robust action by the civil magistrates. Good too, that sanctuary has not been tolerated since in mosques either.
Sounds like a win, win to me!

We also need to end this sanctuary nonsense in Canada too right now!

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