Viduni, 25
Born in Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Came to Australia in June 2008
How did we meet?
Viduni and I were colleagues when I was working at Direct Servicing in NAB.
What is your occupation?
I am a senior banker at one of the big 4 banks, and I help support bankers who deal with home loans, credit cards and transaction accounts.
I have just completed my Masters of Science in Medicine at the University of Sydney. I’ve been wanting to get into research, particularly around AIDS/HIV. However, all the jobs I’ve seen out there at the moment require experience; it’s like a Catch-22.
Why did you come to Australia?
My father immigrated here for work and later we all came together. It was a smooth transition to high school for me because I made many good friends. It wasn’t a very bumpy road considering that I moved to a completely different country.
My mother normally comes sporadically to visit us. She’s currently in Sri Lanka, unable to visit us due to the ongoing border closures.
What do you like about Sydney?
I think I love everything about Sydney, especially the cosmopolitan life. The vibes are great - it’s so lively and you can freely go and explore cafes and restaurants.
Since my boyfriend and I love fine dining, it’s great to be able to try excellent food from different cuisines all around the world in Sydney.
Sydney is so iconic. It’s fulfilling seeing the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and all the other landmarks - it never gets boring. When you compare Sydney to Colombo, the infrastructure (public transport, roads) is slightly lacking in Sri Lanka since it is still a developing country.
What don’t you like about Sydney?
Sydney at times can seem quite expensive. A good example of this is the houses/apartments.
It’s so expensive here compared to Sri Lanka, where you can buy whatever you want for pennies. I’ve seen ads in Sri Lanka, selling houses for $50,000 AUD. No joke.
Sometimes, the weather is unpredictable in Sydney and you have to be prepared for four seasons in a day.
What would you like to say to Sydneysiders?
Keep doing what you do! The lifestyle and opportunities in Sydney are endless. We embrace multiculturalism, we have beautiful cityscapes.
But I am always still captivated by Sri Lanka’s natural beauty – landscapes, wildlife and hospitality. So go and visit Sri Lanka when you can!
What languages do you speak?
Sinhalese (native), English
I speak to my family in Sinhalese, one of the two official languages in Sri Lanka along with Tamil. I only know a few words of Tamil because I came to Australia when I was young, and so I never got the opportunity to properly learn it.
Teach us one word/phrase from your native language.
ආයුබෝවන්
Ayubowan
This is a traditional greeting meaning “May you live a long and healthy life.”
It’s actually a dying phrase since people tend to use English greetings like “Hello” but it’s still commonly used in villages and traditional events like weddings and New Year events.
What is one thing you want us to know about your native country?
Sri Lanka has done an outstanding job so far in containing COVID-19. Despite being a developing country, it is renowned for its medical system. It’s also a testament to our highly educated and trained medical staff.
The civil war ended in 2009 and Sri Lanka is a very peaceful country to live in today. There are so many historical places to visit, such as the Temple of the Tooth and Sigiriya Fortress.
If you go to the centre of Sri Lanka near Nuwara Eliya, it’s quite cold and is considered the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. This is where locals go to escape from the oppressive Colombo heat and humidity.
Who is the most famous person in your native country?
Kumar Sangakkara.
He is an ex-cricketer and used to be the captain of the national team. He is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the history of cricket.
Sri Lanka is famous for its cricket, tea and tourism. It’s a tiny island next to India but people know us for these reasons.
What is the best dish in your native country?
Kiribath (milk rice)
It is one of the most famous traditional Sri Lankan dishes. It is prepared by cooking rice with coconut milk, hence the name milk rice, and can be considered a form of rice cake or rice pudding.
It is very commonly served for breakfast on the first day of each month and any noteworthy life moments, like getting a new job, getting married, or on your birthday.
Disclaimer: All posts are personal opinions and perspectives of the interviewees and are not a perfect representation of the whole country/experience.
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