A Scots Instagrammer who is facing deportation from Sri Lanka for sharing images of the country's revolution online has appealed the cancelling of her visa.
Kayleigh Fraser, from St Andrews, has lived in the south Asian country since 2021, but came to the attention of the government after she began blogging about the "aragalaya", or struggle, that broke out in March. Thousands of people in the island nation have been protesting against the government's mishandling of the economy, which has seen inflation spiral and supplies of essential goods dwindle.
The 34-year-old has been telling the world about the revolution from her perspective - but was warned she should leave the country days after a new president was sworn in. Immigration officials appeared at her house earlier this month claiming she had violated the terms of her visa - an encounter she said left her feeling "unsafe".
Following the departure of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as president and immediately began cracking down on dissent under a renewed state of emergency. Human Rights Watch has accused the new regime of "criminalising" peaceful protest and bringing "excessive and disproportionate criminal charges" against those who continue to oppose the government.
Kayleigh's visa was withdrawn on Wednesday without reason, giving her little time to file an appeal against the decision. Posting a picture of the letter from the country's Controller General on Facebook, she said: "Today Sri Lankan immigration cancelled my visa and have given me five days to leave the country. This is what happens here when you speak out against state violence."
In an additional statement provided to the Record, she added: "I have petitioned the Supreme Court today to challenge this deportation order I have been given. Immigration were served papers - we go from here."
She has been working with activist lawyer Nagananda Kodituwakku to fight the expulsion. Kodituwakku, a celebrated activist in the country, has written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to make him aware of the "highly volatile" situation.
He made a statement with Kayleigh by his side outside Sri Lanka's Supreme Court earlier on Friday. In the statement, livestreamed on his Facebook page, the lawyer said: "The purpose of this appeal is to protect the rights and the freedom of the citizens. She has publicised things on her social media page - this is her right. No-one can deny that right.
"It is unfortunately our government who has absolutely failed to protect her human rights. I really appreciate what she has done.
"Her liberty is curtailed and her visa has been cancelled. They can't enforce the law in this manner in any democracy.
"Now it is in the hands of the judiciary who I am informed will rule strictly according to their constitution. The constitution very clearly says it is the duty of any person to protect the rights and liberty of any person. That is exactly what she has done."
Aberdeen-based Labour councillor Deena Tissera, who hails from Sri Lanka, and MSP Foysol Choudhury are fighting Kayleigh's corner from Scotland. They have written to the UK's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton seeking support, and are set to ask the UK and Scottish governments to make representations to their counterparts in the island nation.
Deena told the Record today: "This is a much bigger issue beyond what is happening to Kayleigh - a country like that is lawless right now. This is selective justice."
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka due to the ongoing economic crisis and anti-government protests. The Record has contacted the FCDO and the Sri Lankan authorities for further comment.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
