Sister Of Woman Who Died At Japanese Immigration Facility To Have Stay Extended
Japanese authorities have decided to extend the period of stay for a sister of a Sri Lankan woman who died at an immigration detention facility in Japan last year.
Wishma Sandamali had been detained at the facility in Nagoya City for overstaying her visa. She complained of illness and died in March last year at the age of 33.
Her two younger sisters are demanding a clear explanation of Wishma's death and have sued the Japanese government for damages.
The younger of the two sisters, Poornima, arrived in Japan in May last year on a short-term visa, which has been renewed regularly. But the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau had notified her that the renewal in May this year would be the last.
Poornima would have had to leave Japan by Thursday. But sources with knowledge of the matter told NHK that the bureau has decided to extend her stay.
A short-term visa can be extended for humanitarian reasons or other special circumstances. The bureau apparently judged that this applies to Poornima's case.
Poornima said at a news conference this month that the family has a right to know what really happened to her sister, and to do that she must take part in the trial.