The Principal of a leading private school in Kandy, a British National, has been ordered by the defence authorities to leave Sri Lanka with immediate effect.

The principal and a section of the management of the school are making an attempt to prevent the principal from being forced to leave, sources said.

But Immigration and Emigration Department authorities said that the principal’s visa would not be extended, although there was strong pressure to extend it till May 15.

The principal has been issued a resident visa for a period of five years but defence authorities have taken a decision to withdraw the visa facility much earlier than the date of expiry for security reasons, the sources said.

Recently a member of the staff of the private school, whose head is the

particular principal, was arrested by police on grounds of alleged connections with the LTTE.

The school master from the north has been living in the Balagolla sector near Kandy. The school master is detained pending further investigations.