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Sri Lanka still high on UK asylum seekers list

by Reggie Fernando, Our London Correspondent

According to figures relating to asylum seekers to the UK released by the British High Office last Friday, Sri Lanka was third in the table of countries from where they originated. The figures were for the last quarter of 2001.

The largest number came from Afghanistan (2,280), followed by Iraq (1,835) and Sri Lanka (1,425).

The report also stated that Britain had the highest number of applicants in western Europe, for last year where almost half a million claims were made, Sri Lankans topped the list in Italy.

However, the report added that compared to past years the number of applicants to enter Britain had fallen but those who entered countries such as Austria, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy and Germany increased.

Britain's Immigration Minister Lord Rooker speaking to the Daily News said that he was pleased with the fall.

He said: "This is all the more encouraging when it is set against the rise in other European countries."

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