Wellington club cricketer Sachin Cooray was a rising star until his deportation this week.

Cooray, 23, left Auckland yesterday on a flight to Thailand that would eventually return him to his homeland, Sri Lanka.

He came to New Zealand on a student visa, which had lapsed.

A last-minute appeal to Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson to allow him to stay was turned down.

However, if Cooray repays the cost of his flight, the Government would waive the usual five-year stand-down period, meaning that he could apply immediately to return.

Cooray had been working as a coach with Cricket Wellington and played for Wellington Collegians premier team. Cricket Wellington chief executive Gavin Larsen said he was an exceptionally talented young man who had been careless and naive about his immigration status.

"He's been turning the heads of selectors here in Wellington; undoubtedly he still is on our radar."

Cooray was also a good person and was making a superb contribution to the community, Mr Larsen said. Cricket Wellington would love to have him back and would help him with future visa applications.

Cooray said he was sad to be leaving but still loved New Zealand. He was unsure whether he would try to return.

(Source The Dominion Post)