A Dream in Limbo: Napier Sri Lankan Widow’s Desperate Fight to Keep Her Family in NZ

By Lions Roar Aotearoa Human Interest Bureau

NAPIER, HAWKE’S BAY (Tuesday, January 27, 2026) — For Indika Wadu Gedara, New Zealand was supposed to be the “happily ever after.” Moving from Sri Lanka to Napier in 2023 with her husband, Indika Lokuappu Kuttige, the family sold their home and all possessions to build a “comfy life” for their two pre-teen daughters.

But that dream shattered on a Friday night in June 2024 when Kuttige, a dedicated telecommunications technician, suffered a sudden, fatal heart attack at home. Now, a year and a half later, Gedara is facing a second tragedy: the very real possibility of being deported from the country her husband died trying to call home.

💔 A Life Interrupted

The couple had settled happily in suburban Napier. Indika Kuttige worked long weeks in Wellington to support the family while Indika Wadugedara managed the home and worked as a housekeeper.

The night of June 14, 2024, began like any other, with a family meal. In the middle of the night, Indika Kuttige awoke in distress and collapsed in the bathroom. Despite the efforts of a tenant who performed CPR and an emergency trip to the hospital, he could not be saved.

“They lost their world, their father. I can’t let them lose another thing.” — Indika Wadu Gedara

⚖️ The Immigration Clock is Ticking

Because the family’s presence in New Zealand was linked to Indika Kuttige’s Accredited Employer Work Visa, his death effectively nullified their legal status to remain long-term.

Expiry Date: The family’s current visas are set to expire in May 2026.
The Struggle: Wadugedara has spent the last six months working as a hotel housekeeper, proving she can financially support her children, but immigration laws do not automatically grant residency to grieving families.
The Fear of Return: Wadugdara fears returning to Sri Lanka, citing cultural discrimination against widows and concerns for her daughters’ safety and education. “I can’t go back,” she says.

📊 The Visa Dilemma: A Family at Risk

Factor	Current Status
Visa Type	Linked to deceased husband’s Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Expiry Month	May 2026.
Employment	Waduedara is currently employed as a hotel housekeeper.
Family Ties	Seeking to move to Auckland to be near her sister.
Immigration Position	Visas not automatically valid; assessed on “individual merit.”

🏢 Immigration NZ: “Handled with Sensitivity”

Immigration NZ acting operations director Marcelle Foley stated that while there is no expectation for a family to leave immediately after a death, they must secure a new, valid visa to stay.

Wadugedara’s lawyer is currently assisting with a new application, but the outcome remains uncertain. Wadugedara’s goal is to move the girls to Auckland to be with her sister, providing them with a support system as they navigate their grief.

For the two young girls, New Zealand is now their only home. Every day they ask their mother what will happen in May. For now, Indika can only hope the “merit” of their case outweighs the rigid lines of immigration policy.