The body of Sri Lankan national Kishanth Peramaiya has been in Eswatini for two weeks following his death, with arrangements for his burial still pending. According to acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, authorities are engaged in discussions with the governments concerned to resolve the matter. Peramaiya died in Eswatini while temporarily residing in the country under an arrangement with the government of the United Kingdom.
Peramaiya's death was announced by the government on September 28, and at the time, the Eswatini government confirmed that consultations between the relevant authorities were still underway. Mdluli stated that the British government is in touch with the deceased's family on this matter. The circumstances surrounding his death were also the subject of a police investigation after he was reportedly found dead at a guest house in September.
Peramaiya's presence in Eswatini was linked to efforts by the UK to relocate him to a third country after he was unable to return to the UK and return to Sri Lanka was not considered a viable option. The UK and Eswatini governments had been discussing his potential long-term residence in the kingdom when he died, according to the Eswatini government's statement.
Eswatini has received several groups of people who are nationals of countries other than Eswatini or the United States under the third-country nationals programme. The first group of five arrived in July 2025 and comprised nationals of Cuba, Jamaica, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen. Further groups followed, including 10 people in October 2025, four in March 2026, 11 in July, and two Mexican nationals in August.
The individuals received under this programme are in the kingdom temporarily, and their fundamental rights are protected under the country's laws and its international obligations, according to the government. Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Prince Simelane has also insisted that the US deportees are not prisoners, despite some of them being accommodated at correctional facilities.
So far, Eswatini has repatriated 10 nationals between September last year and October this year. Official records of third-country national arrivals and repatriations have been reported by the Government of Eswatini. The government has maintained transparency regarding the programme, with detailed information on the cohorts and nationalities represented being made available.
The Eswatini government is working to resolve the matter of Peramaiya's burial through diplomatic channels. The British government's involvement in the discussions highlights the complexities of the case, which involves multiple countries and jurisdictions. The case has also raised questions about the treatment and rights of third-country nationals in Eswatini.
Key points
- The body of Sri Lankan national Kishanth Peramaiya remains in Eswatini two weeks after his death.
- Diplomatic talks are ongoing between Mbabane and London over Peramaiya's burial.
- Eswatini has received several groups of third-country nationals under a programme with the UK.
