Building Bridges

government, and equal and supportive infrastructure—for example, the
clean streets, public transport, and 5G network—are some of the
benefits she has experienced in Germany.
Mrs. Weddikara says that in contrast, “in Sri Lanka corruption is like the
air surrounding us — it is all around politics.” She believes that the
government is controlled by money and the will to gain power.
Additionally, she noted that social policies concentrate on the cities,
leaving behind people who live in rural areas. These conditions make it
difficult for ordinary people to thrive. Especially now that she is
pregnant with her second child, Mrs. Weddikara feels calm and
confident about raising her baby in Germany.
Still, there are some things that she misses about living in Sri Lanka.
“Being close to your family, or being neighbors, has more importance in
our culture than what I have experienced here,” she mentioned. Mrs.
Weddikara also finds Germans to be more private, making it difficult to
establish close relationships. Moreover, she finds the immigration
process and conditions for immigration to be too bureaucratic,
particularly because of all the necessary paperwork and the time it
takes for the process to be finished. In her opinion, this can make it
challenging for immigrants to settle in Germany.
When asked about whether she would immigrate again, Mrs. Weddikara
stated that looking back, she would do it all over again — not only
because of the experiences she has had and the life she has built now,
but mostly for the sake of her children. She wants them to have the
safety, opportunities, and freedom that she has experienced in
Germany, and she hopes they will shine even brighter than she has.
Celine Hill