Complex sentence: In 1986 Viraj Mendis, a Sri Lankan, claimed the right of sanctuary at the Church of the Ascension: following a march to protest against his deportation on December 20,1986 he ran into the church and claimed the right of sanctuary.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1986 Viraj Mendis, a Sri Lankan, claimed the right of sanctuary at the Church of the Ascension. Following a march to protest against his deportation on December 20,1986 he ran into the church and claimed the right of sanctuary.