Lankan Journalists detained at Mumbai airport

5 December 2013 12:53 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Two Sri Lankan journalists who were on an assignment to India had to undergo harassment by an Indian Immigration officer at the Mumbai International Airport when they were detained and questioned despite possessing a valid visa and other documents.

Daily Mirror journalist Lakmal Sooriyagoda and Daily News journalist Sara Pathirana arrived at the Mumbai International Airport on December 1 on a Jet Airways Flight No. 9W 255 and proceeded to the Immigration Counter.

At the counter a lady officer attending to them on seeing the Sri Lankan passports had inquired their purpose of the visit.

When they explained and showed the relevant documents the officer had said that she was not satisfied and taken them to a separate room and detained them. Later she had referred them to a higher officer.

However, the higher officer who perused the documents had cleared them afterwards.

The delay resulted in them almost missing a connecting domestic flight to Indore Airport in Madhya Pradesh. (LS)

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Comments - 19

an s !!!kith udugama Friday, 06 December 2013 02:31 AM

Who wants to go to a place like India ?????

Iain Charmers Friday, 06 December 2013 09:23 AM

India is the dirtiest country I have travelled to. I was interested in Buddhist history I was obliged to travel. If not for that kind of issue I am not sure why anybody would travel to India. Such a dirty and indisciplined country who has no idea how others live in the world. It is in fact a hell on earth.

Amarakoon Friday, 06 December 2013 09:05 AM

If we know the ethnicity of the woman immigration officer who briefly detained these two SL journalists. You will know the reason.

Yash Friday, 06 December 2013 08:46 AM

hehehehe..... well done India, they supposed to detain the media person for 2-3 months, why you are sending person to other countries when u cannot accept these kinds of simple procedure ?

Kondebandapucheena Friday, 06 December 2013 05:23 AM

very well said even 50 cent ok

Dr Jayawardena Friday, 06 December 2013 05:07 AM

Two months ago I, my wife and our son, along with two teachers and ten students from a leading school in Colombo, had a similar experience at the Chennai airport. These people, including the so-called agents of Sri Lankan airline at the airport, were arrogant and bullied us. When we complained to the higher authority, ironically they were death! And we too missed our connecting flight. At least SL government should take necessary action to replace the staff of Sri Lankan airlines at the Chennai airport to who live on Sri Lankan tax payers.

M A P Friday, 06 December 2013 04:46 AM

I don't know if you are Indian but you sure sound like one.
Your arrogance will take you some distance only; that is until you fall into a pit.

Chandana Friday, 06 December 2013 03:52 AM

We are watching what kind of action will take by the Free Media movement for the harassment face by their colleagues. I'm very much sure that these people,who raised their voice against Sri Lankan government, will not utter a word against this incident. Because no body will give them even a dollar if they do so.

Concerned Citizen Friday, 06 December 2013 03:43 AM

However, Sri Lanka is not harassing pilgrims and tourists as in Tamil Nadu, nor presidents and politicians as is happening in London. Hopefully Sri Lanka will keep their head high and not stoop to the level of these people and their stooges, now multiplying around the world.

Suq Madique Friday, 06 December 2013 03:11 AM

Is discrimination proper procedure to be used at discretion?

Jay Pathbey Thursday, 05 December 2013 02:37 PM

So what. It is the proper procedure for an immigration official to use his/her discretion..

tjeyar Friday, 06 December 2013 12:00 AM

y u guys go to a country like that?. via DM Android App

shan Thursday, 05 December 2013 04:19 PM

Oh no..., One dollar will do the needful.

Milli Vannilli Thursday, 05 December 2013 04:11 PM

So, 'harassment' is proper procedure for you?

Hiran Shanaka Thursday, 05 December 2013 04:05 PM

We should deport those Indians who come to Sri Lanka to work illegally. Their country is so poor and come to beg in Sri Lanka, but their ego so high.

Lankan Victim Thursday, 05 December 2013 04:03 PM

i got harnessed by malaysian immigration for a silly reason. the lady in immigration counter raised her voice in front of everyone and asked me how many days im going to stay in malaysia without properly checking my return date, i was transiting via malaysia and i had multiple entry visa to enter malaysia , a valid return ticket , hotel reservation and enough funds in hand. our government should do something about this. we cant let immigration officers abuse genuine guests fom sri lanka.

Suffer in Silence Thursday, 05 December 2013 03:39 PM

Indians get paranoid about Lankan journalists; whereas we allow them here in droves. Once a journalist-friend of mine was made to change his designation in passport for an Indian visa. Shouldn't our Ministry demand parity and reciprocity?

Fawzan Thursday, 05 December 2013 03:27 PM

Not a good sign. India too following Sri Lanka’s policy of harrasing journalists

MRSL Thursday, 05 December 2013 02:48 PM

Typical mentality of Indians. What else do you expect? If they would have slipped a $20 note even, they would have proceeded without an issue.

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Lankan Journalists detained at Mumbai airport

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