Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday directed the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan to probe an incident where Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake had been held up for about half an hour until immigration clearance was given, on arrival at the Narita International Airport.

The Minister has called for a detailed report from our mission on this "procedural delay", which had kept the Prime Minister and his entourage waiting, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.

Reports suggested that the Sri Lankan premier, who arrived in Japan at 11.15 am aboard UL 454 on a week-long private visit, was also finger-printed by the Japanese airport authorities and later cleared, but the Foreign Ministry official said it is too early to comment.

The Prime Minister visited Japan on an invitation by the head monk of a well-known Buddhist temple in Kobe as the chief guest of a religious ceremony. He was accompanied by seven officials, including his private secretary, Mrs. Indika P. Chandrathilake and two security personnel.

The premier had not been cleared through the VIP lounge on arrival in Narita and had used the normal passenger channel where he and members of his entourage were held up by Japanese immigration officials for about half an hour pending clearance, reports claimed.

"We are still awaiting information on what led to this "procedural delay", the Foreign Ministry official said. "That’s why a comprehensive report has been called for".

Asked whether there was any truth in claims that senior Sri Lankan Embassy official in Tokyo had not been present to receive the Prime Minister in keeping with protocol, she said, "I don’t think that’s correct because they always go to the airport to receive VIPs".

"This is the accepted practice and the protocol is adhered to whenever Sri Lankan VIPs visit a country even on a private visit", she said. "This was done".

A Sri Lankan aboard the flight on which the premier and his entourage took wing to Japan said she saw the Wickramanayake being held up and finger-printed. He came out of the normal passenger terminal about half an hour later.

"In fact, I waited outside to see what was happening and saw the Prime Minister, attired in his usual white national costume, coming out of the normal passenger channel", she claimed.

She said that Japan introduced finger-printing foreigners about a year ago as a security measure, but VIPs are exempt as Embassy officials co-ordinate with the immigration to ensure quick clearance.

"I didn’t see any Sri Lankan Embassy officials around when Wickramanayake was stopped", she said. "As a Sri Lankan, I felt ashamed".

Prime Minister’s Secretary Mahinda Bandusena said he is not aware of the incident. "I am here, so I don’t know".

Wickramanayake’s Media Secretary, Seelaratne Senarath said that he also heard about what had happened in Narita and was trying to reach officials who had accompanied the premier to Kobe for more information.