France to deport Sri Lankan student for 'failure to adapt to society'
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An online petition has been launched to advocate for her right to stay in France, amassing nearly 23,000 signatures on Change.org.
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Picture of Onel-Shenaya Fernando displayed in the Change.Org petition. (Change.org)
Onel-Shenaya Fernando, a Sri Lankan student in Bordeaux, received a notice of expulsion from the Gironde prefecture, which came as a surprise as she was beginning her senior year, Le Parisien reported on Tuesday.
She had arrived in France back in 2019 following threats her family faced in Sri Lanka.
Initially, she joined a language class for non-French-speaking students before transitioning to a regular education program.
Despite nearly four years in Bordeaux and an impressive academic record, her application for a residence permit to continue her education was denied.
Ils osent vraiment dire que cette jeune fille n'est pas intégrée ?????
— Elodie Dievart (@Elodie_Dievart) September 30, 2023
C'est dégueulasse. pic.twitter.com/Gz4vO9fzNd
The prefecture cited her alleged lack of close ties and integration into French society as reasons for the decision.
The teaching staff supporting Onel-Shenaya were shocked by the reasons given for her expulsion.
They describe her as diligent and commend her impressive French language skills acquired in just a few years. She even scored 15/20 in the French baccalaureate oral exam.
An online petition has been launched to advocate for her right to stay in France, amassing nearly 23,000 signatures on Change.org.
The Gironde prefecture acknowledges her option to appeal the decision, which she initiated in September with the help of a lawyer.
Prefect Étienne Guyot has committed to reevaluating her situation, but the prefecture has not yet provided a response when contacted by Le Parisien.
Read more: French authorities wary of migration influx: reports
"My name is Onel Shenaya FERNANDO, I am 18 years old, and I am currently a senior at François Magendie High School. I come from Sri Lanka, a country not well-known in France," her appeal posted on Change.org reads.
"Four years ago, I had to flee my country for political reasons with my mother and father. We were seeking safety for our lives and refuge. But unfortunately for me, the French government has just ordered me to leave the territory and has banned me from entering any other European Union country. I do not want to leave or go to another country in a never-ending quest for safety. I have started over and rebuilt my life here in France for the past four years. I have learned French, I am pursuing my Baccalauréat, I have friends, a life that I love. I do not want to start over from scratch, I cannot repeat this very difficult process elsewhere. And if I return, I will be left with nothing but the problems I am currently protecting myself from because I have lost everything there, and I will be in danger."
"My life here is almost stable, and to be fully stable, I only need the French government to grant me my residence permit, which has been rejected, leading to this OQTF (obligation to leave French territory)."
"So, I need your help. Would you please sign the petition below to show the government that I deserve to stay here in France and that I deserve not to be sent back to my country? Thank you very much!" she concludes.
