Japan Immigration News

5 years after sister's death in Japan immigration custody, a woman still seeks the truth

Release Date: 2026-03-05
Media: The Mainichi
Summary: Five years after Sri Lankan woman Wishma Sandamali died in detention at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau, her sister Poornima continues to seek the truth through a lawsuit in Japan.

Wishma had come to Japan in 2017 to study Japanese and hoped to teach English, but after overstaying her visa she was detained in August 2020. From early 2021 she repeatedly complained of worsening health and died on March 6, 2021 at age 33.

Although the Immigration Services Agency concluded she died of natural causes, it acknowledged that staff recognized her deteriorating condition but failed to take necessary action. Believing the report avoided institutional responsibility, her family filed a lawsuit in 2022 seeking damages from the Japanese government.

Poornima, who was very close to her sister, continues to attend court hearings, determined to clarify the circumstances of Wishma’s death.
Tags: Detainees Rights

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