AUCKLAND (Sachin Sharma) - A dream tour of his native country, Sri Lanka, along with his Russian - born wife, both having work - visas of New Zealand, has turned into a nightmare due to COVID - 19 travel restrictions.
Ramidu Galappathi, of Sri Lanka, and his Russian - born wife, Lidiia Berkutova, had gone on a five - week tour of Sri Lanka from February 24 to March 30,visiting Galappathi's family.
Meanwhile, the COVID - 19 broke out, closing the New Zealand and Sri Lankan borders. As both are on New Zealand work visas, they couldn't enter the country where Galappathi worked as a sous chef at Hourglass restaurant at New Plymouth.
Amid travel restrictions, New Zealand presently allows only permanent residents and citizens to enter the country. Both are in the process of applying for permanent residency.
Galappathi is now in Sri Lanka while his wife had to go to Russia as she was in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa.
Galappathi has become a Russian citizen and had the option to join his wife but couldn't because documents needed for this are in their house in New Plymouth.
An application to allow them enter New Zealand by Galappatthi's employer was rejected by the government. The employer needs Galappathi as restaurant functioning is taking a hit in his absence, which has increased workload on head chef and other staff.
Galappathi's sufferings don't end here. Burglars attempted to break - in at his house in May. They took his car and bike.
After the person who bought the car got to know about the theft, he contacted Galappathi on social media.His car is left with no stereo, steering wheel, a damaged ignition and bill of $1000 to get all this fixed.
"It's really painful. Not being able to meet your partner, theft of vehicles. Why all this is happening to me. I am saving money to pay for quarantine if allowed to enter New Zealand," he said.