Sri Lankan Brit shows true grit

IT SEEMS shameful that the first person in a long time to make me feel patriotic and remind me what a great country Britain can be is a Sri Lankan postmaster who lives in Nottingham.

Deva Kumarasiri, who came to England 17 years ago, loves Britain so much he has a huge Union Jack flying outside his house and another in the back window of his car.

He believes absolutely that this is the best country in the world and because of that he has taught his two daughters every word of the national anthem. So great is his love of this country and all it stands for he even took citizenship exams.

And that is why he is now adamant that people who come into his Post Office and can't speak English won't be served until they can.

Deva isn't being racist or rude or divisive. He's actually just being respectful to a country he loves and which has allowed him to prosper.

But predictably, Deva has paid a high price for his courage and his patriotism. In a country that champions free speech he has now been forced out of his job at the Post Office by threats and slung out of the Lib Dem Party.

And all because a few muslims didn't like the fact he told them they had to learn English in a country they had made their home.

Just two days ago Deva made his brave stand telling people: "This is the best country in the world. All I'm doing is telling people who want to be in Britain to be British.

"Don't boo our soldiers. Don't live here without embracing our culture. And don't stay here without making the effort to learn our language."

Deva said what he said because he understands that integration is only possible if people learn the language of the country they live in, see that country as home and embrace its ways, (which doesn't mean they have to forsake their own).

And he said all that because he knows that too many Britons are afraid to speak out. And now, tragically, he sees why. I hoped Deva wouldn't be punished for what he'd said because HE was an immigrant and because he understands and has overcome the problems they face.

But no, he too has paid the price for saying what he believes to be right thanks to a vicious campaign by muslims who believe they must not ever be criticised for ANY reason-even one as fundamental as rejecting the country that protects and takes care of them.

What has happened to Deva is what happens in a dictatorship. And it's a damned disgrace. Because what made his argument so powerful wasn't just that he was right-it was his passion, his love, his gratitude to a country where, 17 years on, he still feels privileged to be living.

How many of us see Britain that way? How many of us possess his sense of belonging? How many of us believe we're lucky to live here?

The only time I ever feel vaguely patriotic is when one of our football teams or athletes does something amazing.

But for Deva every day living in this country is a bonus. He didn't come here expecting a free ride and a life on benefits. He wanted to contribute. And he has.

Already, because of his stand, immigrants coming into his Post Office who didn't speak English are now saying Please and Thank You and trying to construct short sentences.

"Our laws are written in English, our culture is chronicled in English. How can anyone understand those things if they don't speak English?" he says.

"We have a terrible problem in Britain. We don't know who our neighbours are. And if your neighbour doesn't speak the same language you get lack of understanding, and fear, and so often racism."

How right he has proved to be. This government is always telling us all races and cultures must be respected. What it actually MEANS is all races and cultures- except the British culture.

Forcing a man who stands up for Britain to move to a predominantly white area-how racist is that!

It's time we stopped pandering to bigots. They see our tolerance as weakness and it has to stop. Free speech can't just be free for the ethnic minorities who make the most noise.

Because the nightmare scenario is already happening. In coming elections it is predicted the BNP will take control of five councils and win seven EU seats. And that will be because the frustrations of the majority are being ignored.

We have to decide what we want from our immigrants. Do we want them to be like Deva-workers, contributors, true Brits? Or do we want them living in their own communities, isolated and not being able to communicate with the rest of us.

Deva understands that REAL immigration is about belonging. He is British to the core and proud of it.

And for that he's not just being punished for it-he fears for his life.

* You can read more from Carole Malone every Sunday in the News of the World

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