A university student from Sri Lanka has expressed that her life has been devastated due to a single-day delay in the payment of her tuition fees, which resulted in her being removed from her degree program and facing the possibility of deportation.
Navodya De Silva, aged 25, gained admission to Coventry University to pursue a degree in international hospitality and tourism management. The total cost for her three-year program, designated for international students, amounts to £42,000, an expense her father financed using his life savings. Sri Lanka, known as a favored destination for global tourists, was the basis of her plans to seek senior roles in the tourism sector upon her return after completing her studies in the UK.
Unfortunately, due to a hiccup in the payment processing system, De Silva found herself in violation of the Home Office regulations governing universities that sponsor international students. She commenced her studies in October 2024 and successfully completed her first year. The deadline for her second-year tuition payment was set for October 6, 2025. Although she transferred the necessary £8,000 on October 3, the funds did not reach the university’s bank account until October 7, one day past the stipulated deadline.
The university subsequently informed the Home Office about this delay, leading to her inability to continue her studies and the termination of her student visa. De Silva has requested an extension to remain in the UK while awaiting a decision from the Home Office. A refusal of her application could lead to her deportation.
“The UK is renowned for its high-quality education, and I believed that studying here would enhance my career opportunities in the tourism industry back home,” she stated. “I adhered to the payment timeline, but the delay in the university receiving my funds was beyond my influence. I consistently attended my classes, achieved high grades, and completed all assignments. I never anticipated such a turn of events. I am in disbelief and under immense stress.
“Returning to Sri Lanka without a degree and having squandered my father’s savings would ruin my life, all due to a payment processing delay. The repercussions of a mere one-day delay are exceedingly harsh and disproportionate.”
Her attorney, Naga Kandiah, commented, “As an international student from Sri Lanka, she has relied on her parents’ life savings for her education in the UK. Despite the one-day delay in the university receiving her payment, they reported her to the Home Office, revoked their sponsorship, and initiated the cancellation of her student visa, leading to dire, life-altering consequences.”
A spokesperson for Coventry University Group stated, “While we are unable to discuss specific cases, all students have a six-week window to make their payments and finalize enrollment. We provide clear guidelines and reminders to help students navigate this process. We take pride in offering extensive support to our students, but we must also uphold our obligation to comply with UKVI regulations regarding enrollment. These rules are not set by us, but enforcement is mandatory.”
The Home Office has been contacted for further comments.
