http://www.groundviews.org/2008/04/04/public-servant-or-public-sahib/ groundviews is an award winning Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:47:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.groundviews.org/2008/04/04/public-servant-or-public-sahib/#comment-759 Hermann Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:07:39 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/2008/04/04/public-servant-or-public-sahib/#comment-759 As travellers this dilemma we go through various air ports around the world is pathetic. Added to this being a Sri Lankan brings more scrutiny because of our brothers and sisters who try to out smart the custom officials. You are some what lucky not to have got branded at the Airport which would have prevented from Air Travel again. This is a draconian rule which has not access to revision. Some boarder guard can arbitrarily make this decision. My experience in coming home to Sri Lanka has been always a good one. Our custom officials and immigration officers has been courteous and professional. But I have seen some of our people trying to bull-doze on them as if they have come from a superior place ridiculing their English. Most of us who had lived in the west for long periods of time do treat the natives as inferior. I appreciate your courage to have stated the facts of your ordeal at LA for everyone to read. As travellers this dilemma we go through various air ports around the world is pathetic.
Added to this being a Sri Lankan brings more scrutiny because of our brothers and sisters who try to out smart the custom officials. You are some what lucky not to have got branded at the Airport which would have prevented from Air Travel again. This is a draconian rule which has not access to revision. Some boarder guard can arbitrarily make this decision. My experience in coming home to Sri Lanka has been always a good one. Our custom officials and immigration officers has been courteous and professional. But I have seen some of our people trying to bull-doze on them as if they have come from a superior place ridiculing their English. Most of us who had lived in the west for long periods of time do treat the natives as inferior. I appreciate your courage to have stated the facts of your ordeal at LA for everyone to read.

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