Migration opportunities for Lankans

He helps others to prosper:

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Migration opportunities for people around the world has increased rapidly with globalization. It has created many opportunities for Sri Lankans over the last two decades as well.

It has brought a wealth of experience to people and foreign exchange to the country in large amounts.

Some people who migrated to other countries emerged as migrant agents.

They have encouraged many others to migrate to countries of their interest bringing wealth for them and the country.

Jade Lawyers Network headed by Janaka Wickramanayake is an experienced Migrant Agency providing honest advice that has lead many to success. He has sent over 1,000 families to Australia over the past 10 years. He was interviewed by the Daily News Business. They are also lawyers who understand the complexity of the immigration legal processes required for the application and grant of a visa, including the review tribunals and, the courts which interpret and apply the complicated immigration law and regulations.

An old boy of Ananda College Colombo, Wickramanayake is the eldest son of a family with three children from Colombo. After passing Advanced Level examination he entered the Law Faculty. Unfortunately universities were closed due to problems in the country and he could not complete studies.

In 1990 he went to Australia and obtained a Diploma from a University in Melbourne. When the universities opened he returned to complete the degree. "I became an a Attorney-at-Law in 1992 and practised as a lawyer and got experience in the field", he said.

"I went to Australia again in 1999 and started working as a solicitor. While working there I registered as a Migrant Agent. My company was registered as Jade Lawyers Network. Jade is a name of a precious stone. I had three friends at the beginning and later I started doing it on my own from 1999.

I worked for one of the largest immigration law firm in Australia before starting my company," he said. Wickramanayake comes to Sri Lanka every six weeks and stays two weeks to provide consultations. Most of the work is done on the computer. His Sri Lanka branch office is at the World Trade Centre and the Australian branch is in Melbourne.

"I do not accept applications for migration if the chances are poor. The Australian Government changed the immigration law recently. Now the regulations are becoming more strict. I refund the money if any of my clients applications are rejected.

It costs around 7,000 Australian dollars for someone to get a permanent visa. There are a lot of vacancies for accountants, engineers, and quantity surveyors.

The processing takes a maximum of one year "he said. He does not need a huge investment and needs only the office space and other administration costs.

His clients do not have to see him as he communicates through e-mail and skype. "Sri Lankans working in other countries such as Middle East communicate with me via e-mail to come to Australia. The best areas now to migrate in Australia are Brisbane and Western Australia. I process the skills applications in Australia", he said.