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Foreign ban postmaster leaves job Foreign ban postmaster leaves job
(about 6 hours later)
A postmaster from Nottingham who refused to serve customers who could not speak English has left his job.A postmaster from Nottingham who refused to serve customers who could not speak English has left his job.
Sri-Lankan born Deva Kumarasiri, who worked at the sub office on Sneinton Boulevard, made the national news after announcing his policy. Sri Lankan-born Deva Kumarasiri, who worked at the sub post office on Sneinton Boulevard, made the national news after announcing his policy.
He had claimed non-English speakers frustrated other customers and made it difficult to do his job properly.He had claimed non-English speakers frustrated other customers and made it difficult to do his job properly.
But managers at the Post Office said the service was for all and they were concerned about the impact on trade. Mr Kumarasiri said most people supported him but a "small minority" launched a petition against him.
There were also reports that Polish migrants had been boycotting the branch. "I was forced out by a small minority of people who don't want to integrate into society," he said.
I suspect people in this country would be offended by what this man was doing John Heppell MP Abida Raja, whose family runs the branch, said they had to take action. He said: "It was my brother's decision because obviously he was very upset by those comments, because we're losing customers because of it. He claimed he was threatened and said Muslim leaders in the community started a petition against him, so he moved at his own request.
He said he would now work at a different branch.
Managers at the Post Office said the service was for all and they were concerned about the impact on trade.
There were also reports Polish migrants had been boycotting the branch.
I suspect people in this country would be offended by what this man was doing John Heppell MP Abida Raja, whose family runs the branch, said they had to take action: "It was my brother's decision because obviously he was very upset by those comments, because we're losing customers because of it.
"He had to do something about it, because obviously we don't feel that way about anyone else, we don't discriminate against any customer coming in, because obviously the customers keep the business going.""He had to do something about it, because obviously we don't feel that way about anyone else, we don't discriminate against any customer coming in, because obviously the customers keep the business going."
Mr Kumarasami's policy had also been criticised by the Racial Equality Council and MP for Nottingham East, John Heppell. Mr Kumarasami's policy had also been criticised by the local Racial Equality Council and MP for Nottingham East, John Heppell.
Mr Heppell said: "This was a little bit strange. What do you do with tourists?Mr Heppell said: "This was a little bit strange. What do you do with tourists?
"If I was abroad and if someone refused to sell me a stamp because my French or German was not good enough, I think I would have every right to be offended and I suspect people in this country would be offended by what this man was doing.""If I was abroad and if someone refused to sell me a stamp because my French or German was not good enough, I think I would have every right to be offended and I suspect people in this country would be offended by what this man was doing."
Mr Kumarasiri had told the BBC he had turned away about six customers who had wasted his time and annoyed other customers by not being able to understand English.Mr Kumarasiri had told the BBC he had turned away about six customers who had wasted his time and annoyed other customers by not being able to understand English.
He had said: "I am part of a service but how can I serve them if I don't understand what they are asking for?He had said: "I am part of a service but how can I serve them if I don't understand what they are asking for?
"When I came to England I obeyed the British way of life, I got into the British way of life."When I came to England I obeyed the British way of life, I got into the British way of life.
"That is what I ask everyone else to do - respect the country where you are working and living.""That is what I ask everyone else to do - respect the country where you are working and living."