Ruchira Ranasingha's journey from Sri Lanka nearly a decade ago took an unexpected turn, ultimately leading her to become stranded in a remote South Pacific island chain.
A 50-year-old woman, who has been stranded in the Cook Islands for three years, expressed her urgent desire to return to her home country of Sri Lanka, stating she would accept any conditions necessary for her repatriation.
Ranasingha had initially intended to establish a new life in New Zealand.
A refugee reportedly left New Zealand to pursue a work visa in the Cook Islands, following the advice of an immigration consultant, but her application was subsequently denied.
A former asylum seeker departed New Zealand in contravention of the conditions governing his visa, which was tied to his asylum application.
The government of the country in question has declined to grant the individual a transit visa, thereby preventing him from returning to Sri Lanka by air.
Travelers from the Cook Islands seeking to visit Tahiti and Hawaii must first provide biometric information in New Zealand prior to visa processing.
The situation is such that departure is currently not a feasible option.
A mother is anxiously awaiting her son's November wedding, expressing her desire to be present at the ceremony. However, her mother's concern for her well-being has led to frequent hospital visits, causing additional emotional distress.
A detainee expressed a desire to return home, stating they are willing to comply with any requests in order to be reunited with their family.
In 2018, Ranasingha was compelled to relocate from Sri Lanka after her small T-shirt manufacturing business was forced to shut down due to a significant decline in customer base. Struggling to meet her loan obligations, she subsequently moved to Hong Kong where she secured employment as a domestic caregiver, tending to the needs of elderly individuals and children.
A family member of the woman, speaking to the BBC Sinhala, stated that she had faced significant economic hardship and revealed that her husband, who struggled with a drug addiction, passed away approximately seven years ago.
Ranasingha visited New Zealand in December 2022, where he resided temporarily with a cousin under a two-month tourist visa.
A woman, who was facing an impending visa expiration, received assistance in applying for asylum from an individual who had previously helped her with her paperwork, citing threats from creditors in Sri Lanka as the basis for her asylum claim.
The individual was issued an open work visa for asylum seekers, permitting him to engage in employment with various employers for a period of one year.
A restaurant ultimately agreed to sponsor her work visa, allowing her to secure long-term stability in the country.
Due to the ineligibility of asylum seekers to apply for alternative visas during the processing of their asylum claims in New Zealand, the individual's application was denied.
The individual subsequently reached out to the Immigration Service and Secretariat company, where she was informed that she could initiate the process for a new work visa while abroad.
Email exchanges obtained by the BBC reveal that Sylviane Gallant, the company's director, indicated she would initiate the procedure once Ranasingha departed the country.
The individual temporarily relocated to the Cook Islands while awaiting the outcome of his application.
A recent choice has ultimately proven to be highly regrettable.
A work permit application submitted by the individual was rejected for a second time. Furthermore, his decision to depart New Zealand resulted in a visa breach, as per the existing visa conditions. The New Zealand authorities have stated that they will not consider future visa applications from this individual.
Ranasingha claims that Gallant had previously intervened on his behalf, including writing to politicians such as Chris Penk, who was then New Zealand's immigration minister, on multiple occasions. However, Gallant ultimately attributed the situation to his own fault, stating there were no further actions he could take.
The individual was advised to return home due to a lack of compelling reasons to remain, and they subsequently agreed to do so.
A passenger attempting to travel to Sri Lanka with an Air New Zealand ticket was denied boarding due to a requirement for a transit visa for New Zealand.
The individual in question was twice denied entry to New Zealand and Australia, with authorities expressing concerns over his intention to depart from both countries. Specifically, he was rejected three transit visa applications for New Zealand and four for Australia.
New Zealand had initially suggested that the individual consider alternative options, but subsequent rejections from the U.S. state of Hawaii and Tahiti, the island of French Polynesia, revealed that both jurisdictions required the provision of biometric information prior to visa processing. This information could only be submitted in person from New Zealand, posing a logistical challenge for the applicant.
A recent request by the individual to travel to New Zealand, which included information on alternative routes she had explored, as well as her son's upcoming wedding and her mother's health concerns, was denied.
A woman, visibly distraught, revealed that she has spent nearly four years fruitlessly pursuing visa applications, resulting in significant financial losses due to the accumulation of unrecovered banknotes.
Located just four hours from Auckland, a series of islands boasting extensive sandy beaches and dramatic volcanic peaks has been the unintended destination of Ranasingha.
A woman in her situation has expressed gratitude for the support she has received, noting that her fortunate circumstances allow her to stay at her hotel without charge, utilizing staff rooms for accommodations, and benefiting from the generosity of her neighbors, who have provided her with essential necessities such as food and clothing.
A hotel director provided the individual with a sewing machine, enabling him to generate a limited income.
A refugee expressed gratitude towards the kindness she has received from people in her current location, crediting her mother's words for her positive outlook on the situation.
The recent developments offer limited relief from the sense of being confined.
Ranasingha expressed concern that her mental well-being is deteriorating due to stress, citing a fear that her health may be compromised.
Alastair McClymont, an Auckland-based immigration law specialist, expressed uncertainty about the proposed solution.
A source has indicated that the individual in question received subpar advice that could only have originated from a non-legitimate immigration attorney, highlighting a segment of unscrupulous immigration advisors who profit from submitting applications without fully grasping the associated risks.
A New Zealand resident, Ranasingha, asserts that he has incurred significant fees, in thousands of New Zealand dollars, in connection with the Immigration Service and a company affiliated with the Secretariat. Efforts by the BBC to reach Gallant for comment were unsuccessful.
New Zealand authorities are reportedly hesitant to grant Australian journalist Peter McClymont a transit visa, citing concerns that he lacks a genuine intention to return to Sri Lanka following his asylum application, which was filed due to alleged life-threatening circumstances in the country.
New Zealand is working closely with its neighboring country Australia, suggesting that Australian authorities may not permit the transit of the vessel. This stance is likely to be mirrored by France and the United States, who may also deny passage.
Individuals seeking to depart the area will be required to navigate treacherous terrain, a daunting task that many are unlikely to undertake.
New Zealand Immigration Authorities Disclose Rejection of Transit Visa Applications The New Zealand immigration service has confirmed to the BBC that it had processed multiple transit visa applications submitted by Ranasingha, all of which were rejected due to concerns over the applicant's genuine intention to transit through the country.
A representative from the immigration minister's office stated that the measures taken by Ranasingha, including offering to marry and be escorted, do not preclude an individual from submitting an asylum application.
The Australian Interior Ministry declined to provide specific information on individual cases, citing general policies instead. The ministry emphasized that foreign nationals entering Australia are required to adhere to the provisions outlined in the 1958 Migration Act and the 1994 Migration Regulation.
Ranasingha's family has been seeking assistance from the Sri Lankan government, but so far, their efforts have been unsuccessful. His brother reports that they have explored all available avenues, yet have yet to achieve any tangible results.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it is implementing all necessary steps to facilitate the return of its citizens from the Cook Islands.
High-ranking officials at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand, are collaborating with relevant New Zealand authorities and the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the situation.
The brother of Ranasingha has expressed significant concern about the situation.
The individual expressed concern about the person's mental well-being, stating that their condition is not satisfactory.
During a previous conversation, he expressed his desire that if her safe return was not possible, her remains should be repatriated.
A recent update has been provided by investigative journalists Kethaki Masilamani and Julianna Khan, shedding further light on a developing story.
Individuals experiencing difficulties related to suicidal thoughts or feelings of despair can access resources for advice and support. In the UK, the BBC Action Line provides information on relevant organizations. For those seeking assistance outside the UK, Befrienders Worldwide is a global resource offering support.
The original article was composed in English and underwent translation utilizing an artificial intelligence tool. Prior to publication, a BBC reporter reviewed the text for accuracy and quality.
