A Sri Lankan student says her academic future has been upended after a one-day delay in her tuition fee payment led to her removal from her degree programme and placed her at risk of deportation from the United Kingdom.
Navodya De Silva, 25, who enrolled at Coventry University to study international hospitality and tourism management, claims she is now facing life-changing consequences after what she describes as a minor banking delay beyond her control.
The three-year undergraduate programme costs £42,000 in total, funded by her father, who reportedly used his life savings to support her studies. De Silva’s long-term ambition was to return to Sri Lanka and build a career in the country’s tourism sector after completing a UK degree.
Sri Lanka is heavily dependent on tourism, and De Silva had viewed her education in the UK as a stepping stone toward securing senior roles in the industry upon her return home.
A single day that changed everything
De Silva began her studies in October 2024 and successfully completed her first year. However, difficulties arose at the start of her second year when she was required to pay an £8,000 tuition instalment by 6 October 2025.
She says she initiated the transfer on 3 October, well ahead of the deadline, but the payment did not reach the university’s account until 7 October due to delays in the processing system—one day after the cut-off point.
Despite the short delay, the university reportedly informed the UK Home Office, which led to the termination of her student visa sponsorship. As a result, De Silva was removed from her course and is now awaiting a decision on her application for further leave to remain in the UK. A refusal could result in her deportation.
“My life has been ruined,” says student
De Silva has described the situation as devastating, insisting she complied with all academic and financial requirements but was let down by timing outside her control.
She said she had maintained strong academic performance, attended all classes, and submitted all coursework on time, expressing shock that a technical delay could derail her studies.
Her frustration centres on what she believes is a disproportionate response to a minor administrative delay, arguing that years of effort and financial sacrifice have now been placed in jeopardy.
Legal challenge and university response
Her lawyer, Naga Kandiah, argues that the consequences have been severe given the circumstances, noting that her family invested their life savings into her education and that the delay in payment receipt was minimal.
He added that despite the short delay, the university proceeded to report the matter to immigration authorities, leading to the withdrawal of sponsorship and visa curtailment.
A spokesperson for Coventry University stated that while individual cases cannot be discussed publicly, students are given a defined timeframe to complete payments and are provided with clear guidance and reminders.
The university emphasised its commitment to student support but added that it must comply strictly with UK Visa and Immigration regulations, which govern international student enrolment and sponsorship responsibilities.
The UK Home Office has been contacted for comment, while De Silva continues to await a decision that will determine whether she can remain in the country or face removal.