Florence Udawatta Archives

Lankan family in distress impresses Aussie community. By Aubrey Joachim Image Source ABC News Just a few days ago we Australian Lankans were lauding the achievements of eleven year old Georgia who reached out to every Australian household and heart when she demonstrated her culinary prowess on national TV. Last evening (12th November) a Sri Lankan family also appeared on national TV (ABC 7.30 report – link below) in starkly contrasting circumstances. To me both instances bring out unique Sri Lankan stories. Raj Udawatta came to Australia in 2014 on a 457 visa to work as a mechanic and from all reports he was a very good one. In 2016 the family – wife Florence and their four children – joined him in Kempsey where they very quickly became ‘Australianised’. Florence interacted with the local church and got involved in a number of voluntary pursuits – a choice that would ...

Sri Lankan family living in Kempsey facing deportation following father’s death – by Lucy Barbour Source: ABC News Florence Udawatta is losing sleep and suffering from heart palpitations from worrying. Key points: After her husband died, Florence Udawatta and her children were given a month to appeal or leave the country They volunteer in the community and eldest son Ruvish is vice captain of his school The Immigration Department denied them protection visas, arguing they’re unlikely to be persecuted in Sri Lanka She and her children Ruvish, Jeniffer and Duane are facing the prospect of removal from the community they have come to love and which has grown to love them. Their regional town of Kempsey in New South Wales is rallying, demanding the Federal Government lets them stay. The family’s conundrum is rare. They are facing deportation because of a tragic death that could not have been prevented. Ms ...