The new requirements have ensured that fewer applications are rejected, Mr. Pritchard-Gordon said. This is because of visa violations, asking for political asylum, and moving from one college to another. The US is also a popular choice for many Lankans. Apart from those who come in, large numbers phone in for information and send e-mails. Educational options are minimal in Sri Lanka, he said.
Nothing is certain here, everything collapses in a few seconds.
Although the backlog has been gradually cleared, students still have to waste precious years due to problems on the campuses. Meanwhile, parents of children leaving for foreign universities, though often sad that they may never return after completing university education, yet encourage them to set forth. After graduation, students opt for post-graduate degrees or seek employment and very often marriage follows. With more and more foreign universities holding seminars in Sri Lanka with the hope of attracting students, parents see them as a bridge to their children's stable future. In September, the University of Newcastle conducted a presentation for prospective students at the British Council and the National University of Singapore also held well-attended seminars in Galle, Kandy and Colombo.