Unpleasant experience with UK Immi. officer-Sanga

9 May 2015 01:27 pm - 97 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Sri Lanka Cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has undergone an unpleasant experience with a UK Immigration officer last night when he arrived in London.

The veteran cricketer tweeting about his experience a short while ago has described it as ‘rude, patronizing and extremely discourteous. . .’

In the series of tweets that he updated, Sangakkara has noted that this is the first time that he had to undergo such an issue although he has been travelling to the UK for the past 15 years.

In reflection of the unpleasant experience he had to face, the cricketer had also tweeted:
"No matter colour, religion or fame every well intentioned traveler deserves courtesy. Luckily for me it was one person and just this once' (LP)

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Comments - 97

dhammika Sunday, 10 May 2015 06:54 AM

for many people UK embassy staff is also very very rude

Ahamed Sunday, 10 May 2015 11:37 AM

You mistaken, Pakis and Sri Lankans are not looking same.

Jen Sunday, 10 May 2015 11:28 AM

May be that immigration officer would have thought that you were a Indian or a Pkis.

jen Sunday, 10 May 2015 11:10 AM

May be that immigration officer did not understand his English.

spetang Sunday, 10 May 2015 11:07 AM

I have been visiting Sri lanka almost every year for the last 30 years, to visit with my in-laws. I do not carry a Sri Lankan paasport. Almost on every occasion, I have found Sri Lankan immigration to be always sullen and almost always rude.

lara Sunday, 10 May 2015 10:42 AM

This called Hypocrasy. this good for them and the same time they will its not good for others - countries were destroyed due to this reason

citizen Sunday, 10 May 2015 10:05 AM

may be you are right.when you compare with the other european countries still britan is far better than them

Ajja Sunday, 10 May 2015 08:27 AM

Appathaid .This is carved in their blood... via DM Android App

kota Sunday, 10 May 2015 08:25 AM

Dear Bala white is white whatever the way u interpret its there country.

chris Sunday, 10 May 2015 08:00 AM

This happens to me almost every time, not only in UK but the world over. If you carry a SL passport they think we are third class people. Not realizing we spend thousands of dollars for the benefit of those economies.

Chris Sunday, 10 May 2015 07:57 AM

Where is the freedom of speech and expression. He has the right to tell the world the good and the bad, right?

Hubert SilvaBpulle Sunday, 10 May 2015 07:12 AM

Hi Sanga. You should have told this guy that "I am a player of a game called Cricket" Ben

mac Sunday, 10 May 2015 07:00 AM

Its nothing to do with training .I am certain these officers been trained amply. This is their arrogant bullying nature and clever use of english to intimidate and frustrate. They are mean,rude and arrogant which they think is being smart.They presume that is the way to keep their supremacy.these idiots do not realize they are fast loosing the professional jobs to asians . UK has more HR issues to worry about than investigating of HR in Sri Lanka.

John Sunday, 10 May 2015 11:44 AM

The main message coming out of this is that the Brit civil servant is consistent in following their duties by the book, even if grumpy with it!

Asitha Sunday, 10 May 2015 06:43 AM

Come on Sanga, it is your fault. You go to a country that invaded our land and claimed this theirs, spread their alien culture, ruined natural resources, massacred locals in hundreds of thousands and expect goodness from them. You are lucky to get this dirty treatment from just one.

mac Sunday, 10 May 2015 06:23 AM

All these anglos (generally english speaking europians and austral asians) are selective of words to remain within the legal framework.Not because they are polite.They are 99% arrogant,abrupt bullies towards non english speakers. They twist English cleverly to bully and frustrate. English for them is the best weapon to frustrate and bully the tang(Asians) and coffee(Afros) and arabs. By nature they are rude and cold. Migrants in these countries go through this hell every day every moment. But they brag about their equal opportunity society ensured by constitutions for fake.

ram Sunday, 10 May 2015 06:10 AM

Sanga, In the interest of all travellers please make an official complaint. You should have done that immediately you were allowed to enter. It is not late and please do that without tweeting

Kumar Sunday, 10 May 2015 05:39 AM

Sorry Sanga for this bad experience but as Tamils who have lived abroad carrying a SL passport, I have experienced worst things when I went on a weeks holiday during the time of our problems..I have to answer the Immigration who were rude and then go to the Police station to register myself cos that is what was required those days..out of 7 days holidays 2 days were spent in Police station.Now I am not complaining, I did it..These days security is high as we all know world is full of Hatred and killings..It is better to allow the Immigration guy to ask anything he wants..it does not matter the tone, There is nothing to hide from your side..so let them take their time.sure there will be few who might sound rude or actually arrogant..I am sure u would have experienced that is the cricket field and you let your bat talk..You are Our Legend..keep that smile and Enjoy your cricket

Shan Sunday, 10 May 2015 05:08 AM

Where ever we go in the world we are happen to meet some with depression or with personality disorder. This can happen to any one can not be prevented. We have to face it and experience it. Just ignore them and move on. You are million times better than him.

puran appu Sunday, 10 May 2015 05:03 AM

I have faced bad experience with them actually in 1986 when I first visited them as a student. They treated me like a complete alien. Since that day I avoid that country for any holidays.

Cheers Sunday, 10 May 2015 04:04 AM

I hope the immigration officer it self was not an asylum seeker more importantly not an Tamil asylum seeker who acts in the other worlds as they are from a different planet.

Nims Sunday, 10 May 2015 03:48 AM

May be a cousin of Callum McRae

Iqbal Sunday, 10 May 2015 03:47 AM

Sanga,Please explain what really happened, I mean your experience at the passport checking counter.

Nims Sunday, 10 May 2015 03:46 AM

Thank you Big Rich. You are a true Sudda

p nonis Sunday, 10 May 2015 03:44 AM

when I went as student to uk in 1987. I was searched as if I was carrying something. My brief case even the casings opened. all files and currency counted and checked.asked all sorts of questions about my studies and all the deatails of colleges I was attending. Three refugee sri-lankans from the north walked off the immigration with a lawyer who represented them with out any checks or any immigration procedures.when I came back after passing the exams same procedure singled out and checked by a female intern,asked if I was carrying any currency or parcels or envelops to any body in sri-lanka.I was shocked and amazed, later she apologised and said it is a routine usual check on passengers leaving UK. That is british immigration

Vijay Sunday, 10 May 2015 04:21 PM

The British Custom officials are arrogant and the Indian officials are rude.in India the bribe gets them such jobs more than training.The British think they are still the masters.

NRC Saturday, 16 May 2015 10:11 AM

I am sorry if people have had bad experiences at Sri Lankan Immigration Counters; but, I only have an issue - sometimes - they are a bit slow. Overall, our people are a lot lot better than Singaporeans, Malaysians and many other countries. Our people, at least smile.....

Chimpa Saturday, 16 May 2015 08:57 AM

Take this as a good example, the best is to do is to be courteous to all travelers who has to go through Immigrations all over the world.

Prem Nath Tuesday, 12 May 2015 11:33 AM

Why talk about the British,they are snobs.

Silva Monday, 11 May 2015 11:59 AM

Englishmen have come asking for asylum 200 years before us

Premalal Monday, 11 May 2015 11:14 AM

If the British are so bad why go there in the first place. Why are so many Sri Lankans are happy to live and work there and moreover if UK gives residence visas tomorrow, how many of the British bashers would be queuing up? It is time to leave hypocrisy behind. Sangakkara will be the first to agree with me.

Tomsam Monday, 11 May 2015 08:19 AM

Please wait till the UNHRC report is released to learn how the thugs of SL treated the fellow citizens, Eelam Tamils.

Pitta Monday, 11 May 2015 08:01 AM

Sri Lankan Immigration officers are the most crude people anyone could meet.

Major Sunday, 10 May 2015 08:36 PM

Dark skin, this will never stop with whites.

asokanp@sltnet.lk Sunday, 10 May 2015 06:59 PM

Kumar, you find morons of this nature all over British airports. But only a handful. British Immigration helped Sri Lanka in 2004 Tsunami by sending container loads of aid for the affected. Ignore the idiot.

Citizen Perera Sunday, 10 May 2015 05:48 PM

Was it ok for us to have imprisoned, made life a living hell and to have deported a British lady who had a Buddha tattooed on her arm? Now Sanga, grin and bare it!

kumar Sunday, 10 May 2015 04:39 PM

This is nothing. The former Indian President Mr. Abdul Kalam had to undergo severe questioning before he could enter New York.

TripleX Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:41 AM

Sanga should pass his tweet to the new MP Ranil Jayawardane.

Sincere Sunday, 10 May 2015 03:47 PM

Please report it to British Authorities. The guy who threatened UK MP. Ranil Jayawardene was caught pants down and sacked. It might happen to this Immigration officer too.

malij Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:40 PM

The bloody English think they still rule the world...

niv Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:39 PM

lol. i think we will say this when out visa got rejected though we dont have access to embassy like USA and others...

Sonali Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:38 PM

Yuri. are you disillusioned ? No, I think you are one of those asylum seekers.

Niro Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:35 PM

Please have a complain without letting it just to be an another similar incident.

San Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:06 PM

Exactly Correct!!

shace-UK Sunday, 10 May 2015 01:55 PM

Sanga its not you...its the passport you carry...I am a Sri Lankan working in UK for last 8 years, I travel outside UK once in every 2 weeks , despite the immigration officers knew I am a frequent business traveller still they give me a hard time on my return to UK....on my personal experience I have rarely met a decent immigration officer....

nanda Sunday, 10 May 2015 01:49 PM

SL immigration is not that better.

Janaka Sunday, 10 May 2015 12:28 PM

From what I see, Sanga is not the person who will come out with an accusation without a reason. He is much humble and friendly, Sanga would have had some expectations after travelling for 15 years since he is a famous personality, but the immigration officer could have been rude for him to mention it, knowing that it will be highlighted. Good that happened to him, if another person complained, It’s just another complain… Good on you Sanga for bringing it up. These officers should know that today the world is small today and some good places available to spend your money than U.K…

DILRUWAN Sunday, 10 May 2015 12:09 PM

There are many bastards and rascals, both men and women among the Indian immigration officers . They think their country is in the moon or somewhere else.I think this is the country with the highest no of beggars and racists! Anyone has noticed this?Our dirty Balusena has also originated from here I hope.Bcoz, there is a SENA group for the majority there as well!Sorry if this hurts the good people there. Your immigrn bastards spoil the image of your nation!

Wicket Keeper Sunday, 10 May 2015 11:46 AM

Hi - It was a Capitalist - Foreign Conspiracy. W Wansa

Sherwin Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:05 PM

Probably UK immigration gets low salaries...pay them a little more !!! lol

Shan Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:04 PM

Koss you are day dreaming. Sanga is a gentleman who would not seek extra attention, he can walk through slums in fact.

MightyAnt Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:56 PM

I have been in and out of the UK for the last 30 years and nothing of this sort has happened to me. I was working for a lager multi-national electronics company during these visits. The most important point is to be humble when being questioned by these officers. Getting used to Sri Lanka culture where "wilding a bat", "chucking a ball" or "corrupt " politicians are wicked from the VIP lounge, the UK or as a matter of fact any immigration of a civilised country may be a problem.

Big Rich Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:56 PM

Once you are past the border, if anyone uses the term that you used, they can expect to end up in a police station. In fairness, racial abuse of any ethnic group is viewed as a serious offence and is not tolerated.

Cecil Siriwardene Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:53 PM

I am not surprised at what Kumar Sangakara had to endure at the hands of a British Immigration Officer. My wife who is English, born in Britain and holding a British passport went to visit her father in the UK. A British Immigration Officer who probably was from Pakistan or India had the audacity to ask her what she was doing in Britain. My wife had a right to be in her own country. Perhaps the immigration officer was ignorant of that fact. Britain should train her immigration officers better.

zameerqdr Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:47 PM

He has all the rights to broadcast it to the world. It was he who had undergone this treatment. we too do show our displeasure when ill-treated, but the only difference is no one bothers about our tweets!

Bala Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:42 PM

I am a sri lankan living in UK for 30 years.My experience with the English is that they are usually polite in choice of words but rude in tone of speech and arrogant in attitude.

Asoka Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:30 PM

Who is this joker who gave you this terrible time ? cannot be a sport. Teach them some manners Sanga

Lima Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:27 PM

THESE IMMIG OFFICERS ARE NOT BEEN TAUGHT OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIP , EVEN THE USA IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TOO ARE SAME IN USA AND IN ABU DHABI , ALL THEY THINK IS OTHERS ARE TERRORIST , NO MATTER WHICH COUNTRY THEY BELONGS TO , WHICH COLOUR THEY BELONGS TO , THEY THINK THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE CLEAN , MANY WHO SUFFER GOING TO USA IN THE HANDS OF THESE IMMIG OFFICERS DUE TO LACK OF HUMAN RELATION KNOWLEGE , YOU MAY SPEAK ENGLISH , IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS THE HIGHEST QUALIFICATION , IT IS THE LANGUAGE OF YOUR LAND , SRI LANKANS ARE 100% LITERACY IN THE WORLD COMPARED TO THOSE COUNTRIES , THEY ARE NOT EVEN TOUCH THE 75%

marlon Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:26 PM

What happened Sanga did you get called a Paki? You should explain to them that not all brown skinned people are from Pakistan.

karu Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:22 PM

Indians actually learnt it from the British. No wonder, Indian Public Servants are level headed.

Ach-cha-ru Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:18 PM

May be that person has not seen you before. Forget it sanga we all know who you are and how world respect you. via DM Android App

zuh Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:08 PM

rudefoolish via DM Android App

Ahamed Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:02 PM

Some British Immigration officers think that we all come to stay there illegally.

de silva Saturday, 09 May 2015 09:00 PM

In a few years time when these extremists enter to Europe these rask......... will learn a lesson.

Gayan Saturday, 09 May 2015 08:58 PM

Where is Mangala?

Gerry Saturday, 09 May 2015 08:54 PM

He must have been a Labour Party man. Had a bad day perhaps??

M.O.A.Careem Saturday, 09 May 2015 08:49 PM

sorry over this experience

koss Saturday, 09 May 2015 08:40 PM

Well well, very surprised to hear that UK Border agency has been rude to our Sanga. May be because he came in like a big man, and wanted to rush through, and the border agency official probably not aware of Sanga is a famous sportsmen allowing him through or that he or she has any knowledge of cricket to noticed that Sanga is a famous sportsman give a bit of extra attention. But for Sanga being famous one things he did wrong was to tweet about the experience with the UK border officials. Just have to patient with any officials and if they are rude then you got right to complain to their Superior and not to broadcast it to the world.

Maya Saturday, 09 May 2015 08:33 PM

Sorry Sanga, but someone before you could have asked for asylum. It is not you but the passport you carry.

Bala Saturday, 09 May 2015 08:29 PM

If this could happen to Kumar who speaks excellent English - surely better pronunciation and diction than that Immig officer - you can realise the bullying to others who might not be able to express themselves. As Big Rich says, UK can improve on the Border Officials with a special course in courtesty since this is the first point of contact for UK entry.

Alisten Sydney Saturday, 09 May 2015 08:14 PM

This is not new. I have been subjected to British Immigration always even with British passport. Britsh ivaded all the countries and living all over the world including Australia, Canada, USA, and South Africa.I was subjected by an Indian born Officer. long que as wellat the counter. Why cant they ask all information on the form rather than treat the travelers badly after long travel .

Vladimir Saturday, 09 May 2015 07:15 PM

should be an Indian rascal via DM Android App

Big Rich Saturday, 09 May 2015 07:08 PM

As an Englishman who has lived in Sri Lanka for 13 years, and someone who has had the pleasure of meeting Kumar , ,and found him to be real gentleman, I can only apologise for his treatment at the hands of these people. The British immigration officers have a job to do, but they could learn a lot from their counterparts in the Sri Lankan Immigration service. I too have suffered rudeness and arrogance from British Immigration officials over the years, despite being a British citizen. I have also observed their rudeness to other people both entering and leaving the UK ! Secure in the knowledge that they can cause me no problems, I have found smart answers and sarcasm have little effect on them, probably because they are not smart enough to understand!

Patriot Saturday, 09 May 2015 11:10 PM

Many Sri Lankan carry Sri Lankan are very rich which these British can never dream off. Relax and just laugh to your heart.

Yuri Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:40 AM

you like it or not. they are

Ranjan Rodrigo Sunday, 10 May 2015 02:08 AM

U get a one off in every thing. A former central Bank governors son was treated shabbily at Heathrow 20 years ago and has not travelled abroad since.Ranjan RodrigoSydney

Palitha Sunday, 10 May 2015 01:55 AM

Sanga, you are a spoilt as you get the best from Srilankans and cricketers all over the world. Immigration at the point of entry to UK is a challenging and stressful job. So take it easy, calm down!

ranga Sunday, 10 May 2015 01:47 AM

thought the FM sorted out all the issues created by the previous regime...lol... via DM Android App

Rohan W Sunday, 10 May 2015 01:35 AM

Anyone who defends that idiot of an immigration officer is a bigger idiot. Faulting Mr. sangakkara for sharing his terrible experience makes this moron a retard.

ro Sunday, 10 May 2015 01:31 AM

What a unintelligent thing to say- Maya!

Sam Sunday, 10 May 2015 01:01 AM

The SL government should give the UK Immigration Officer a free ticket to CMB, show him/her how SL immigration officers treat visitors to the Country and send him/her back on the next flight.Unfortunately, the Immigration officers bear the responsibility to be vigilant when visitors enter the country. The surprising issue with Sangakara is that he has been a frequent traveler to the UK and possibly posses a work-permit to play prof cricket in UK. Therefore, the treatment (not quite sure of the nature) seems to be disproportionate. I guess there are the good ones and a few bad ones in the basket. We have to be above these civil servants who sometimes wield their "power" inappropriately.

jayasingha Sunday, 10 May 2015 12:23 AM

Because they Britain

jan Sunday, 10 May 2015 12:17 AM

has to be of indian origin

Maya Saturday, 09 May 2015 11:39 PM

If you face any of the Indian immigration officials, you would say UK officials are gold. What would you expect when you country men asked for asylum in draws.

Fair N Square Saturday, 09 May 2015 11:16 PM

Probably the son of an Immigrant who wants to be MORE white than whites... they say.... The king who eat meet keeps silent but the dog that eat the bones bark louder..well there was this guy who contested the UK election against a SL born guy, who polled 65% of total votes... the white got only about 7 % and been penalized too. May be some think about white supremacy...

malij Saturday, 09 May 2015 07:04 PM

Some bloody English think they still rule the world.

Nihal Amerasisr Saturday, 09 May 2015 11:05 PM

OMG , The no of Sri lankans defending the British Raj . Shame on you . Be Sri Lankan.

shawn Saturday, 09 May 2015 11:03 PM

few times traveled via UK. Immigration officers were unnecessarily rude to me. I was just in transits, not even a visitor to UK. Now avoid UK when I travel to Colombo.

selva Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:56 PM

Sad, but Sri Lankan immigration is consistently rude. have had only 15 travels myself and every time our own immigration has managed to be rude. so before pointing fingers at others lets look at our own back yard.

wddw Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:55 PM

This may be a first for kumar, but this is what the rest of us experience everytime.

senakak Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:53 PM

Ahh poor Sanga, unknown to you they all are the same, luckily it just happened with you only once.

Sir iFlyAlot Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:43 PM

you should go to the post office in Hounslow, London. the half indians over there will make your life hell until you pay and get the f out of that building. they do not know the meaning of courtesy at all ...

nkodituwakku Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:41 PM

I hope that the Home Office take a serious notice of this incident. And also shows the lack of common sense and general knowledge in some of the officials in the UK civil service.

Citizen Perera Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:39 PM

Sanga should realize that racism is here to stay and this could have happened to anyone on a bad day. .

Nick Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:26 PM

when teavelling all are equal for the immigration officials. This incidence is just a storm in a tea cup. via DM Android App

Prometheus Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:27 PM

Its their country Sanga. When you are in a foreign country you are at the mercy of their laws. A Sri Lankan passport would treated with extreme disgust.

Commenter Saturday, 09 May 2015 10:23 PM

i have under gone similer experience with a rude malaysian immigration officer. the officer shouted to me in front of everyone with a higher tone.

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Unpleasant experience with UK Immi. officer-Sanga

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