Blog

SL Expats 7 min read

Best remittance apps for Sri Lankans in Australia 2026: Wise vs PayPal vs bank transfers.

Why Choosing the Right Remittance Service Matters in 2026 For the thousands of Sri Lankans working hard in Australia, sending money back home is more than just a transaction. It is a lifeline that supports parents, pays for a sibling's education, or helps build a family home. By 2026, as Sri Lanka...

Jan 11, 2026 50

Entrepreneurs 9 min read

Ishara Nanayakkara – Microfinance Maestro Turning LKR into Billion-Dollar Empires

Who is Ishara Nanayakkara? Ishara Nanayakkara is one of Sri Lanka's most successful business leaders. He is the Chairman of LOLC Holdings, a company he transformed from a local firm into a global giant. Known for his sharp vision, he has built a business empire that includes finance, hotels, and ag...

Jan 11, 2026 51

Immigration 7 min read

Women migrants from Sri Lanka: Balancing career, family, and safety in Aus/NZ

The Leap of Faith: Motivations and Expectations The decision to leave one's homeland for the distant shores of Australia or New Zealand is rarely a simple one. For women from Sri Lanka, it represents a profound leap of faith, a calculated risk taken in the pursuit of a life that balances ambition...

Jan 10, 2026 14

Immigration 6 min read

Alternatives to full migration: Remote work for Aus firms from Sri Lanka or hybrid study visas.

The Australian Dilemma: Bridging the Talent Gap Australia faces a persistent challenge in sourcing skilled professionals to fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, engineering, and healthcare. While traditional migration has long been the primary solution, its complexities and costs have le...

Jan 10, 2026 47

Immigration 7 min read

Should you return? Sri Lankans who came back from NZ/UK – regrets and wins

The Irresistible Call of Home: Why They Returned For many Sri Lankans who built successful lives in New Zealand or the United Kingdom, the decision to return was not driven by failure abroad, but by a powerful, persistent pull from the island they still called home. It’s a feeling that goes beyond...

Jan 10, 2026 16

Immigration 6 min read

Avoid these 5 migration mistakes: Sri Lankan student visa refusals and appeals.

Introduction: The Dream and the Hurdle For countless ambitious students in Sri Lanka, the dream of studying in Australia is a powerful one. It’s a vision of world-class universities, vibrant multicultural cities, and a future brimming with global opportunities. This isn't just about earning a degr...

Jan 10, 2026 31

Immigration 6 min read

Working Holiday Visa Australia for Sri Lankans: Ballot, jobs, extensions in regional areas

The Ballot System: Your First Step to Australia Due to the high demand and limited number of places available for Sri Lankan citizens, Australia uses a ballot system for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. This process ensures that every eligible person has a fair and equal chance of bei...

Jan 10, 2026 39

Immigration 6 min read

2026 Aus visa changes for Sri Lankans: Level 2 risks, partner visa pitfalls, employer sponsorship

2026 Australian Visa Changes for Sri Lankans Navigating the 2026 Australian Visa Landscape for Sri Lankans As Australia implements its new migration strategy, the visa landscape in 2026 will present distinct challenges for Sri Lankan applicants. A proactive approach and...

Jan 10, 2026 41

Immigration 6 min read

Salary vs expenses: Sri Lankan doctor's pay in UK vs home, with tax/remittance math

The Great Debate: Why Sri Lankan Doctors Look to the UK A Tale of Two Payslips: Salary vs. Expenses The decision for a Sri Lankan doctor to move to the UK often boils down to a complex financial equation that goes far beyond the headline salary. While life in Sri Lanka offers a lower cost of livin...

Jan 10, 2026 55

Immigration 6 min read

Cost of living breakdown: Is migrating from Sri Lanka to Aus/NZ worth the sacrifice?

The Starting Point: Economic Realities in Sri Lanka For many Sri Lankans, the dream of a stable and prosperous future at home has become a daily struggle against powerful economic headwinds. The recent economic crisis was not a sudden event but the culmination of years of instability, lea...

Jan 10, 2026 26

Immigration 7 min read

Mental health for Sri Lankan migrants: Coping with homesickness, winters, and isolation in Canada/UK

The Silent Struggle: Acknowledging the Migrant's Mental Load Beyond the visible challenges of adapting to a new country lies a silent, often unacknowledged burden: the migrant’s mental load. For Sri Lankans in Canada or the UK, this is more than just missing the warmth of the sun or the taste of h...

Jan 10, 2026 39

Immigration 6 min read

First-year struggles in New Zealand: Sri Lankan family's housing hunt, job hunt, and culture adaptation

A New Beginning: Hopes Meet Reality The Silva family arrived in Christchurch with hearts full of hope, their minds painted with images of serene landscapes and a prosperous future for their children. They envisioned a smooth transition, a welcoming start to their new chapter in Aotearoa. However,...

Jan 10, 2026 21