Welcome to NewDirectionDating, where your path to finding love goes beyond borders. Today I, Robyn Wahlgast, am going to tell you a lot of things about Sri Lankan brides. Learn about the distinct character traits and personal qualities of Sri Lankan women, which might make them the perfect wife for you. Why are Sri Lankan-born brides drawn to Western men? Find out firsthand from Kavindi Silva, a Sri Lankan mail-order bride I interviewed.
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What challenges in your relationship with a woman from Sri Lanka may arise, and how to move your fiancée from Sri Lanka to the U.S., Germany, Norway or other countries? I will prepare you for marrying a Sri Lankan woman by talking about the traditional Sri Lankan wedding ceremony, the bride’s attire, wedding traditions and explaining the matrimonial laws in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
And at the end, I’ll give you five tips for the first few months of married life with your Sri Lankan newlywed wife. Join me and find out if a Sri Lankan bride is the one you’ve been looking for!
To learn more about Sri Lankan women looking for marriage abroad, I interviewed Kavindi Silva, a real mail-order bride of Sri Lankan origin who met her husband on one of the dating websites called EasternHoneys. Here are some of her first-hand answers to help you better understand who Sri Lankan mail-order brides are:
Hello, Silva! Before we start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello Robyn, I’m Kavindi Silva, 29 years old from Kandy, Sri Lanka. I met my husband, Michael, through the Sri Lankan dating site EasternHoneys. We’ve been living in Texas for 3 years now. Michael and I have a son, named Roshan, who is 2 years old.
What kind of women are modern Sri Lankan mail-order brides? What is the society’s attitude toward Sri Lankan women marrying foreigners in your country?
Modern Sri Lankan mail-order brides are a blend of tradition and modernity. We are often well-educated, hold strong family values, and are ambitious. As for society’s view, it has progressively shifted. Initially, there was some skepticism, but with globalization, such unions are becoming more commonplace and accepted. A notable shift was evident after the 2009 reconciliation period, which brought more openness to diverse life choices.
What personality traits attract Sri Lankan brides in Western men? How do they differ from local men in Ceylon?
The traits we value in Western men include their broad-mindedness regarding women’s careers and their emphasis on emotional support. In contrast, Sri Lankan men, influenced by our patriarchal society, often prioritize traditional family roles. Michael encourages my career in graphic design, whereas in Sri Lanka, I faced pressure to prioritize family over profession.
What is the socio-legal status of the mail-order bride industry in Sri Lanka? Which legal frameworks are regulating mail-order marriages in Sri Lanka?
The mail-order bride industry in Sri Lanka doesn’t have a specific legal framework. Marriages, including those from mail-order scenarios, fall under the Marriage Registration Ordinance and the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act for those of us from the Kandyan region. These laws ensure the legal recognition of our marriages both in Sri Lanka and abroad.
What are the reasons and motivations why women in Sri Lanka decide to become mail-order brides?
Factors like economic stability, desire for a supportive partnership, and broader horizons motivate us. With Sri Lanka’s economy being heavily reliant on tourism and textile industries, opportunities for women can be limited. Seeking partners overseas often represents a chance for both emotional and financial stability, a trend that has been rising since the early 2000s.
Have you ever wondered what personal qualities your future wife should possess? Let’s find out if a Sri Lankan woman can meet your standards and what your marriage will be like. After all, Sri Lankan brides are not only attractive in appearance, but also possess a whole set of traits that make them ideal marriage partners.
Having the right expectations for your future intercultural marriage will help you avoid misunderstandings in your relationship with your future wife. Below are some recent statistics about women in Sri Lanka that will help you get a general idea of what your potential marriage to a Sri Lankan woman might be like.
Well, for Western men there are three main ways to meet single Sri Lankan women who want to marry a foreigner: traveling to Sri Lanka, contacting a marriage agency (or matrimonial service in Sri Lanka), and using Sri Lankan mail-order bride sites. So, let’s see which one is right for you?
Traveling to Sri Lanka (historically known as Ceylon), an island country in South Asia, is a great opportunity to meet in real life a single Sri Lankan woman who is interested in dating and subsequently marrying a foreign man. So what are the best cities in Sri Lanka to visit on a love tour? Galle, Colombo or perhaps Kandy?
Colombo, the vibrant capital, is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and diverse population. It’s an ideal place to meet educated and open-minded Sri Lankan girls who are accustomed to interacting with foreigners. Here are the most popular places among single Sri Lankan women in Colombo:
Kandy, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its rich traditions and religious significance. Women here are deeply connected to their heritage and often seek men who respect their cultural values. In Kandy, you can easily meet Sri Lankan women interested in marrying foreigners by visiting such places:
Galle, a city with a strong colonial history, is known for its blend of cultures. Women here are often interested in meeting men from diverse backgrounds. The best places for meeting potential local brides in Galle are:
Contacting a Sri Lankan marriage agency represents a more traditional pathway to finding a Sri Lankan bride. These agencies operate both within Sri Lanka and internationally, offering personalized matchmaking services. These agencies compile comprehensive catalogs of Sri Lankan women interested in marrying abroad. Each profile typically includes detailed personal information, interests, and expectations. Interested in marriage men can browse these catalogs to find potential matches. The agency then facilitates communication and, if necessary, arranges meetings either in Sri Lanka or through virtual platforms.
Sri Lankan mail-order bride sites, such as SakuraDate, NaomiDate, and EasternHoneys, have become the preferred choice for men seeking Sri Lankan women for marriage. These platforms offer a diverse range of profiles, allowing men to connect with women who genuinely seek a serious relationship.
These sites are preferred over casual dating platforms due to their focus on meaningful relationships. The approximate monthly cost varies usually from $30 up to $80, but the investment is often justified by the efficiency and safety these platforms provide, making them the most effective method in the modern dating landscape.
As I said before, unlike traditional dating sites, the purpose of mail-order bride websites is to facilitate marriage between spouses from different countries. So they’re considered the most effective way to connect with Sri Lankan women open to marriage. Now let me briefly explain to you how to use these services to find and choose your potential Sri Lankan bride:
As sad as it is, online dating is not without scams. No matter how reliable a dating website is, no one is safe from it. So now I will explain to you the three most common types of scams when scammers pretend to be Sri Lankan brides, and how you can protect yourself:
Believe me or not, building a relationship with a Sri Lankan woman almost always means overcoming cross-cultural differences. Who better than a relationship expert to know that. And that’s why I’m going to break down five common problems that can arise and give you some advice on how to overcome them based on the experiences of Sri Lankan-American couples:
The anticipation of meeting the beautiful Sri Lankan woman you’ve been chatting with online is undoubtedly exciting. Proper planning will ensure a memorable and hassle-free meeting with your bride-to-be in Sri Lanka.
Preparing to meet your girlfriend in person in Sri Lanka involves many aspects, from booking airline tickets to choosing accommodation. Now let’s pretend that your chosen one lives in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Here is what you need to consider while preparing for your love trip:
First impressions are crucial, especially when you meet your sweetheart for the first time. Since I am a dating expert, let me give you some tips to help you make the best impression on your, most likely future Sri Lankan wife:
Marrying a Sri Lankan bride involves unique traditions and legalities that the couple needs to take into account. Let us together take a detailed look at the entire process from proposal and engagement to wedding and marriage registration in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, a proposal is more than a romantic gesture; it’s a culturally rich event, steeped in Sinhalese or Tamil traditions, depending on the ethnic background. Typically, the proposal is a formal affair, involving a meeting between the families of the prospective Sri Lankan bride and groom, known as the “Nekath meeting”. This gathering is crucial for deciding auspicious times (Suba Nekath) for the engagement and wedding, guided by astrological charts.
The engagement, or “Mangala Kinkini“, is a vibrant, ceremonious event. Unlike Western engagements, it’s marked by a Pirith ceremony, a Buddhist ritual invoking blessings, especially in Sinhalese communities. The exchange of rings is accompanied by the presentation of a tray of gifts, or “Ashtaka“, to the bride, symbolizing prosperity and fertility. The event also features traditional Sri Lankan music and the lighting of the “Oil Lamp“, a symbol of light and hope in their journey ahead.
In Sri Lanka, weddings are a tapestry of rituals, varying across regions. In the North, Tamil Hindu traditions prevail, involving the “Ritual of Seven Steps“. Central Sri Lanka sees the Kandyan Buddhist ceremonies dominating, while Southern weddings blend Buddhist and Sinhalese customs.
The five notable Sri Lankan wedding traditions are listed and the meanings for them are explained below:
The legal framework governing marriages in Sri Lanka, particularly between a foreigner and a Sri Lankan citizen, involves specific procedures and documents. The Marriage Registration Ordinance and the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act are key legislations in this context.
The minimum legal age for marriage is 18 for both men and women. Commonly, marriages are registered at local Divisional Secretariat offices. Required documents and fees include:
The registration process typically lasts a few days, contingent on all documents being in order. This legal framework ensures that marriages are recognized both in Sri Lanka and internationally.
Despite the phrase “cost of Sri Lankan mail order bride”, you can’t actually order or buy a wife from Sri Lanka like a commodity. Human trafficking is strictly illegal in Sri Lanka, the U.S and any other country. The “cost” refers to the expenses incurred while traveling to Sri Lanka, courting and marrying a Sri Lankan woman. These expenses, which make up the so-called Sri Lankan bride cost, are usually as follows:
| Types of Expenses | Low Cost | Middle Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expenses for using dating site (3-6 months) | $100-$300 (Basic memberships, limited features) | $300-$600 (Standard memberships, some advanced features) | $600-$1200 (Premium memberships, full features) |
| Air tickets to Sri Lanka (round-trip) | $400-$800 (Economy class) | $800-$1500 (Economy premium/Business class) | $1500-$3000+ (First class) |
| Lodging for 2 weeks | $200-$400 (Budget hotels, hostels) | $400-$800 (Mid-range hotels) | $800-$2000+ (Luxury hotels, villas) |
| Food costs for 2 weeks | $100-$200 (Street food, local eateries) | $200-$400 (Moderate restaurants) | $400-$800+ (High-end restaurants) |
| Entertainment expenses for 2 weeks | $100-$200 (Local attractions, budget activities) | $200-$500 (Standard entertainment options) | $500-$1000+ (Premium experiences) |
| Transportation expenses (2 weeks) | $50-$100 (Public transportation) | $100-$250 (Rental car, occasional cab) | $250-$500+ (Private driver, frequent cab usage) |
Calculating the total cost for a Sri Lankan mail-order bride can vary widely. On the low end, one might spend around $950, while a mid-range budget could be about $2200. For those opting for high-end services, expenses could exceed $4500. These costs reflect only the initial phase of the relationship and do not include additional expenses for a Sri Lankan bride.
Additional potential expenses:
If you want your Sri Lankan wife (or fiancée if you are not yet married) to join you in your country of residence, the country’s immigration requirements must be met. Below are three step-by-step guides explaining the immigration and citizenship policies of the most popular countries where men bring their Sri Lankan spouses to live together: the US, Norway, and the Germany.
U.S. immigration laws, particularly the Immigration and Nationality Act, govern the process of bringing a Sri Lankan wife to the country. Key steps include:
Norway’s immigration process is governed by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and involves the following steps:
The process in Germany, under the Residence Act, follows these steps:
In the initial phase of family life in the U.S. with a newlywed Sri Lankan mail-order wife, the cultural integration process can present unique challenges. Let’s talk about five most common challenges that an American-Sri Lankan family may face and how you, as a husband, can help your Sri Lankan-born wife to deal with them.
