Sri Lankan Student Could Be Deported After One-Day Fee Delay
A Sri Lankan university student has expressed that her life is in ruins after a mere one-day delay in paying her tuition fees resulted in her being removed from her degree course and placed at risk of deportation from the United Kingdom.
Navodya De Silva, aged 25, secured admission to Coventry University to pursue a degree in international hospitality and tourism management, with overseas student fees totaling £42,000 for the three-year undergraduate program.
Her father utilized his life savings to fund the course. Sri Lanka is a renowned destination for international tourists, and De Silva's strategy was to apply for senior-level positions in the tourism sector in her home country upon completing her UK education.
Payment Processing Delay Leads to Visa Termination
De Silva commenced her degree in October 2024 and successfully completed her first year. The deadline for the initial payment for the second year of her studies was set for 6 October 2025.
She transferred the required £8,000 payment on 3 October, but due to a delay in the payment processing system, the university did not receive the funds until 7 October, which was one day after the stipulated deadline.
As a consequence, Coventry University reported this delay to the Home Office. This action led to her inability to continue with her degree course and the termination of her study visa. De Silva has since applied for further leave to remain in the UK and is currently awaiting a decision from the Home Office. If her application is denied, she could face deportation.
Student's Emotional Response and Legal Perspective
"The UK is one of the best countries in the world to undertake a university degree. I believed that studying here would enhance my prospects for a successful career in the tourism industry back in Sri Lanka," De Silva stated.
"I fulfilled my responsibilities properly by paying my fees before the deadline. The delay in the university receiving my payment was beyond my control. I was a diligent student who attended all classes, achieved high marks, and completed all assignments. I never anticipated this outcome. I am in a state of shock and experiencing immense stress."
"If I return to Sri Lanka without a degree and having lost my father's life savings, my life will be devastated, all because of a delay in the payment transfer system. This decision, based solely on a one-day delay, is excessively harsh and disproportionate."
Her legal representative, Naga Kandiah, commented: "She is an international student from Sri Lanka whose parents have invested their entire life savings in her education in the UK. Despite a one-day delay in the university receiving the payment, it proceeded to report her to the Home Office, withdraw sponsorship, and initiate the curtailment of her student visa, resulting in severe and life-altering consequences."
University and Regulatory Compliance
A spokesperson for Coventry University Group remarked: "While we cannot discuss individual cases, all students are provided with a six-week timeframe to make payments and complete enrolment. We issue clear guidance and reminders regarding deadlines to assist students throughout the process."
"We take pride in our record of offering extensive support for students, but this is balanced with our obligation to comply with UKVI rules concerning enrolment. We do not establish these rules, but we are mandated to enforce them."
The Home Office has been approached for additional commentary on this matter.
