Confronting the painful secrets of international adoption: Sri Lanka to Norway | Witness Documentary

Adopted from Sri Lanka to Norway at only seven weeks old, Priyangika has always longed for her biological family.
She travels to Sri Lanka to fill in the missing pieces of her identification papers, her family history and her broken heart. But finding her birth mother does not bring her the peace of mind she is searching for. Instead, a need to uncover the secrets of her past leads her to an investigation of the complexity of the international adoption process.
No matter how painful her discoveries are, her search for answers becomes her only hope in succeeding to define herself on her own terms.
No Place Like Home is a film by Emilie Beck.
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Thanks for watching our documentary. Tell us what you think in the comments below. If you'd like to watch more documentaries from Witness, find them here: kzbin.info/aero/PL6698BA1F3CDC7323 More from Witness on: Facebook: facebook.com/AJWitness Twitter: twitter.com/AJWitness Instagram: instagram.com/AJWitness

[@emandas5640]

It's totally rubbish news. Al-Jazeera showing about Rohingas refuges crackdown in mynmar. Did Al-Jazeera reported Islamic Taliban crackdown on Afghanistan thousand of Hindus ,Sikhs fled to the country

[@dgtheone]

Her obsession with her past is going to destroy her future. She needs put her family that she has now first.

[@Keesha]

@@dgtheone says who?

[@atekevichusa6739]

Did Priyangika speak to her sister again or meet with her?

[@judysworldofanimals6111]

​@@dgtheone I agree with you 1000%

[@krisa27]

My dad worked as a cleaner at an embassy and one couple wouldn't stop asking to adopt me and take me back to their country. Even though we lived in one tiny room with five other people, my parents wouldn't let them and I'm so glad they didn't. My dad, over the years, worked and studied his way out of poverty and I learned to be humble and love my family just as they are. I can't imagine having lived any other way.

[@diobrandoooo]

respect❤

[@krisa27]

@@diobrandoooo Thank you

[@linzisu]

It's scary that the couple kept asking. Some people feel so entitled. I'm happy you stayed with your family. 💗

[@annie68164]

That seems so disrespectful to your father for them to keep asking to adopt you. It seems creepy too, I'm so glad your father didn't do that.

[@Bebedollie]

Godbless u and ur family ❤

[@AsankaSampath8957]

Born in 1989 and adopted by italian parents... found my biological mother in 2008 and become dual citizen in 2009 got married in Sri Lanka and I have one son born in Sri Lanka

[@gamithawanasinghe4096]

Ai 1990-2000 athara kaledi godak oyala wage sri lankans lawa adopted kare?? Why did your parents adopt you?? Whta's the reason?

[@groundzero5708]

@@gamithawanasinghe4096 srilankawa arthikyen fail terennie nadda

[@tamarind1459]

It was sponsored by politcians that time.

[@veronikastrickler3924]

wow❤

[@Rexmali]

@@gamithawanasinghe4096 good question! Something happened during that time.

[@morjana679]

Bullying should be punishable by the law. People think it's some kids thing but it leaves a lifelong impact on people.

[@tahliah6691]

And racism

[@AAAA-vu7fp]

Totally correct. Kids commit suicide because they are bullied

[@melodioushaste]

lol

[@melodioushaste]

@@tahliah6691 OK thought police

[@GG-cj4jx]

Es terrible la poca importancia que se le da a este problema. Debería ser de máxima prioridad en los colegios e institutos.

[@shamison1980]

I love the fact that the Norwegians parents gave her the freedom and support to find her biological family.

[@samsara.gossip]

Once a child is 18, parents have no control. Norwegian parents were checkmated in a chess game. Anyway Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe they get more pleasure when they get hold of a child and manage to violate and a use them. This is a strange perversion Asians and Africans won't understand. Norway commits child abuse at a scale not known even in North Korea or Somalia under clever rhetorics of child protection and child welfare. Nothing can be more repulsive than this deception and scam.

[@samsara.gossip]

Adoptive parents were caught red handed as child traffickers and child abusers. But thank god this beautiful lady just forgave them. Despite years of child abuse, this woman just want to tell her story but had no intention to file a lawsuit against abusive adoptive parents for emotional violence towards chikd.

[@rivindurasanjana2159]

And thanks to all their abuse she's living a comfortable life in a developed country 😂

[@shamison1980]

@@samsara.gossip How do you know they are abusing her????? She was brought us well giving her the best they could have given and also the foster parents are supporting her to stand against illegible adoptions. You've got the wrong end of the stick it seems. Very disappointing.

[@TheYasmineFlower]

@@samsara.gossip There was no indication in the film that the parents knew that the adoption was done illegally. There was also no issue of child abuse raised against them. If you got that info from anywhere else, do state it, otherwise you're just alleging things the film did not even remotely claim.

[@Singuin]

I love the parents who adopted her .She has grown so well and I hope she will always remember their love and cherish those beautiful moments they gave to her .

[@suedeundara8766]

Exactly

[@kathrynheyl8444]

I resonate with Priyangika, as I too was adopted from Russia. It's interesting that she had an interest in finding her biological roots but her Sinhalese brother wasn't interested. My story is very similar, my brother and I were adopted together and he has little to no interest in finding our biological mother or learning the Russian language. I didn't receive my adoptive paperwork until I was a senior in college. Thankfully, I knew I was adopted because I was a child when I moved from Russia to the United States. I resonate with her statement: it's absurd to move a child from one continent to another and give them an American name. I too, changed my name at 18 years old. Although it's difficult to watch, I appreciate this documentary. I see a lot of comments about not understanding her perspective, if you haven't been adopted it's hard to understand but attachment issues are real. Whether someone is a baby given up for adoption or a child, or in foster care etc. the loss of a mother especially is difficult. There is a feeling of abandonment, neglect and rejection from the first source of life.

[@tahliah6691]

So true people just don’t look at the impact adoption has on the children taken away from their land culture and identity

[@samsara.gossip]

Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe

[@gen24677]

I'm also adopted and I feel similar.

[@chetyoubetya8565]

I am adopted and not the same race as my parents and never saw them at anytime as anything but my parents.

[@Oakleaf700]

Completely agree with you. My mother died when /I was 2 yrs old, and the loss of a Mother is very severe on a child. Being adopted because your mother gave you and your Brother up for adoption is harder, I think, than losing a Mum to illness. Early years are SO important to children's wellbeing and lasts long into adult life.

[@malshiwanagasooriya3145]

She was bullied at school for being different. Washing her face with toilet water!!!. How horrible were those kids. No wonder she felt isolated and different. She is traumatised in more than one way throughout her life. It's not like migrating to a country with your biological parents when you're adopted. I guess it started disturbing her when she started school and get bullied for that reason.

[@anohacharlesschlosser9305]

Has srilanka no such things?

[@liodemirror1775]

​@@anohacharlesschlosser9305nee, Noorwegen iss slecht

[@adeesha1482]

@@anohacharlesschlosser9305 No. In Sri Lanka no one will do anything like that to anyone and if they do they are done. Regardless of their age. But they fight a lot.

[@victory6904]

@@anohacharlesschlosser9305 bullying is a western thing, in most parts of the world students are busy trying to get the right grades, as parents and teachers are one. Kids are raised on discipline.

[@morjana679]

@@anohacharlesschlosser9305 Why does this make you defensive? Were you a bully yourself?

[@AJsVIEW]

My perception of Norway changed after watching the movie 'Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway". There's some evil shit behind that place that they're doing with migrant kids!

[@ariellemandara1483]

My god, the women from the salvation army made my blood boil. They has zero accountability over the illegal adoption process they assisted. How is that even legal? I knew they were suspicious the moment the woman wanted the camera crew to leave the room. These women should be prosecuted. They didn't even know if the kids that were sent for adoption were trafficked or not meaning they never checked on the kids. The way they kept laughing and smiling mockingly as if the whole situation is light is unbelievable. Priyangika should've taken a lawyer with her.

[@carolinekamya2339]

narcs

[@shirleywong4333]

Yes the salvos are part of the problem. That's why I never deal with them . They take good from donations too

[@skrmacs4815]

prosecuted for? Priyangika had a safe, wonderful parents, a country which accepted this adoption and an education. there are bullies in all countries. I can understand Priyangika's longing for her biological relatives, mother and country.

[@ariellemandara1483]

@@skrmacs4815 Are you seriously this ignorant? You do realize that her entire adoption process was illegal right? A large majority of documentation is unavailable and the information recorded on various sources don't match. Those women should be prosecuted because they assisted and enabled an illegal adoption process. She may have been lucky to be adopted by lovely parents. But things could've easily gone south. She could've been sold to trafficking rings so easily and god know what could've happened to her. You really need to educate yourself on how many children who are illegally sent abroad for adoption end up becoming victims of human trafficking.

[@ChattingAroundTheWorld]

Many people in Sri Lanka think of this woman as incredibly fortunate to have been adopted and taken to Norway. They're like, "Man, I wish I could get adopted too!" But hey, she's got every right to feel however she wants. Perhaps, if she had lived in Sri Lanka, she might have desired nothing more than to relocate to another country because of all the financial struggles, political issues, and social challenges we face. But who knows? She might still choose to stick with her family despite all the hardships because she's her own person. She might be one of those who puts family above everything else. Just remember that we are all unique before criticizing Priyangika.

[@truthisbitter9801]

Well what you say is correct. But she should be thankful and grateful to God that he didn't leave her alone in Salvation army orphanage but took care of her and provided her and kept her safe !! We feel her pain and it's good that she got the answers she seeked for.. now she has to accept the reality and focus on her own marriage life . She might hurting others if she doesn't heal

[@Jjrhwhiir62]

I think what we also need to consider and factor in is the trauma Priyangika would have suffered (i.e. bullying) she briefly mentioned. It sounds as though she was made to feel like she didn't belong and was racially targeted. The grass isn't always greener, even if it's more fertile soil - ask an immigrant.

[@ronraji]

I am sri lankan and never heard that wish, because noone wants to be an Orphan , not knowing their parents, So they might want to wish to be adopted while beeing with their own family which at the end is just a silly thought.

[@mayr9215]

I don’t think Sri Lankans want people to adopt them though.. They may want to Relocate l but obviously not to get adopted as Lankans are very close to their birth Families..

[@Animeow08]

Nah this chick is just wayyyy too ungrateful

[@SurasLifeStories]

This was such an emotional documentary, her feelings are her owns and one cannot judge, we all have a place and a soil we call home and it’s amazing how she always wanted to know more of her birthplace Sri Lanka 🇱🇰. Regardless of Sri Lanka’s current economic conditions and other social issues it’s still a beautiful place that births unique ppl into this world. I wish you the best Priyangika and your beautiful family in Norway. With love Your countrymen from Sri Lanka

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts with us. 🙌

[@theekshanaisuru3598]

Nice to see this ,as a Sri Lankan.

[@timothyzakaria7397]

​@@aljazeeraenglishI have wrote u all I was born in China and moved to England where I was adopted out of. I have been homeless living on the streets for a long time

[@timothyzakaria7397]

​@@aljazeeraenglishI really want to come back to England but I don't have any documents a lot of things were hidden from me. Please write me back cause I am stuck in the US with no income it's very difficult without citizenship

[@timothyzakaria7397]

​@@aljazeeraenglishI thought that I was born in Chicago but I had a rough year in 2020 I lost 2 jobs in that city. I believe I am Richard Nixon son he's the 37th President of the United States. But I don't know who I could call from the UK.

[@wongwong2631]

I know of a close friend she was raised by the salvation Army since she was 1year old...she left the orphanage at the age of 15..she never had parents..when she was growing up she wished she was adopted...she was never adopted..At age 15 she started to work..she paid her school fees through part time work..this person I know never got married..Her life is only about working and about survival..She went though tough life ..She was forced to be an adult at 15 years of age with No Help...She don't believe in family cuz she never had one..She grew up being inferior cuz she feel she is not good enough and she is afraid she don't know how to love another cuz she was never loved to begin with...So...in a way you were blessed to have an adoptive family...I'm happy you found your original family..it may be hard but we should our blessings no matter how small it is then we can be happy..The art of contentment..❤️HUGS

[@amahliyanliyan704]

Very proud of adopted parents.they gave their best security..otherwise you dont know where she end up..

[@KethTamilTubing]

Yup, too many pedophile people in the world.

[@exxxxcellent]

I genuinely think she will have more success finding a therapist and exploring the effects that bullying and feeling like she didn't belong have had on her, rather than pursuing this, especially now that the mother is dead. I have a feeling that she would feel the same way she currently does, if she had been born in Norway to Sri Lankan parents, and the adoption is clouding that.

[@warmwelkom]

I love to hear that her intuition stayed with her along all the struggles. She's still connected with her spirit and biological family. Her intuition/feelings were always right. And are still worth "a fight" for justice, because it just is. She is from Sri Lanka, should have never been handled to another country and never should have given another name, because there was no consent from her mother'(s family). She has felt that from her mothers family from the beginning and that spirit never left her. Her family was deceived and she feels for her family. That is great spirit. ❤

[@Celinestu333]

Doesn't sit right with me that she is so emotional with the people who gave her up but with the people who raised her up and gave her everytbing she seems indifferent and kinda blaming them in her demeanor for the whole situation

[@suedeundara8766]

She is self centered and ungrateful

[@justsophia7384]

Priyangika, thank you for sharing your story. Sorry about the loss of your biological mother; it appears she was a lovely lady who faced the challenges many of our human family have had to throughout the course of their lives, due to unchecked injustice and deception about such. Sometimes all we need is truth so that healing can begin. Take good care of yourself and your lovely family.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching, dear Sophia. 🙌

[@Oakleaf700]

@@aljazeeraenglish Bless you and your Family..Your Adoptive Family and your Biological Mum

[@dilkycorteling2586]

Your biological mum gave you a grate life and she saw you before she died... Believe me life would have been tough for her... the joy of knowing you are doing well... she can rest in peace..

[@kinleydorji6465]

I was adopted too. I am 29 now and I am happy and content. I don't have the desire to meet my biological parents even though I know they just stay a city away. A four hour drive. my adoptive parents were the ones who wanted me in their life, my biological parents didn't. So I don't understand why I should go looking for them and rekindling something that wasn't there to begin with. I just don't understand this kids who go looking for their biological parents when they have everything here.

[@Summer.42]

I get what you’re saying, but everyone has different experiences. Not every adopted person has ‘everything here’. Some grew up with a toxic adoptive family or felt like they didn’t fit in. Some may just be curious about their roots in general and want to know which country or tribe they are from. I’ve seen Africans adopted by non black parents who admit to having identity issues because they felt white but obviously were not.

[@waguregamage6863]

My great respect to her adopted parents ❤

[@MC-fw5vt]

This script is beautiful, I guess it is the Sri Lankan language ?

[@waguregamage6863]

@@MC-fw5vt yes she is belong to sinhalese mom sadly many children face problem she faced

[@samsara.gossip]

😂😂😂

[@samsara.gossip]

Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe they get more pleasure when they get hold of a child and manage to violate and a use them. This is a strange perversion Asians and Africans won't understand. Norway commits child abuse at a scale not known even in North Korea or Somalia under clever rhetorics of child protection and child welfare. Nothing can be more repulsive than this deception and scam.

[@melodioushaste]

Why? Because they weren't abusive monsters?

[@angelah.3402]

She is absolutely gorgeous!!

[@royaldainties]

She's a thief

[@linzisu]

Reading through these comments is very disheartening. So much focus on the adoptive parents and about how she should be grateful. Adoptees have a much higher suicide rate than those who are not adopted. 4x higher, thats massive. Losing my family and culture feels like a part of me is missing, I will never be whole. If you haven't lost your family and been sent to another country to live then you wouldn't understand how this can feel.

[@avasd59]

Right people are so insensitive and dismissive. It's disappointing to read these comments

[@lakminawijayatunga4960]

Dear mom,daughter, sister priyangika.We perfectly understand you.We are equally proud of your parents in Norway. We realise the deep pain that you go through. Yet ,life is ...I am personally shocked. YOU are one of our daughters,srilankan.

[@avephoenix6637]

That despondent look on her face is heart-rending. All this young girl endured as a child as well for being different. I hope she will find peace

[@cobidbeksin5200]

No parents should give up their kids like that. The quest for roots and identity is too strong in a human

[@lillyess385]

Let's give reproductive rights to women, easy and free access to birth control and the right to free and safe abortions. That will reduce unwanted children.

[@tibetnews239]

She was stolen , not given up

[@TheYasmineFlower]

@@tibetnews239 The film made it clear that she was voluntarily placed for adoption (both her mother and auntie said that it was intentional), but that the part where she was adopted out to Norway without the knowledge or consent of the biological mother was illegal.

[@sherwood9917]

That she is looking for answers does not mean she is not "grateful" for or doesn't love the two people who raised her. She is entitled to these answers. She is trying to understand her identity and origins; we all have a right to know that. Also, let us appreciate the challenges that a woman of color, growing up in a predominantly white society, must have faced. Being reminded day after day that you are "Other" and not having many positive examples of people who look like you could not have been pleasant. Whether you like it or not, children need more than food, shelter and love; they also need to feel that they belong.

[@jmk1962]

Totally.

[@shazferds7913]

Agree 100%

[@fatimah9202]

100%

[@tibetnews239]

She's suffering from PTSD due to abuse she suffered in Norway. Don't blame the victim. Support this victim of forced adoption and child trafficking

[@truthisbitter9801]

IM SRILANKAN AND IM THANKING THE NORWEGIAN PARENTS FOR RAISING HER WELL ... YOUR INTENTIONS WERE NOT TO HURT BUT TO GIVE A BETTER LIFE FOR THE CHILD . MAY GOD BLESS YOU MORE AND PROTECT YOUR HEART ❤❤❤ EVEN THOUGH THIS CHILD HAD A SAD PAST YOU WERE THERE TO HELP AND YOU ALSO HAD WENT THROUGH PAINS RAISING THESE CHILDREN BUT YOU WOULD NEVER TALKED WITH ANYONE ELSE.. I PRAY THAT THE LOVE COVERS EVERYTHING AND LET JESUS HEAL ALL YOUR BROKEN HEARTS !!

[@samsara.gossip]

Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe they get more pleasure when they get hold of a child and manage to violate and a use them. This is a strange perversion Asians and Africans won't understand. Norway commits child abuse at a scale not known even in North Korea or Somalia under clever rhetorics of child protection and child welfare. Nothing can be more repulsive than this deception and scam.

[@noor9115]

As a norwegian-bengali myself this was such a hard watch. I'm lucky who grew up with my beautiful bengali parents in Norway. However I still long for belonging in this country. I don't think I will ever feel it and that's okay too

[@Thatonlyone678]

Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway

[@karenfreeman4921]

Er du Rohingya ?

[@Thatonlyone678]

@@karenfreeman4921er du en jævla rasist

[@noor9115]

@@Thatonlyone678 nej er du

[@nadirajayasuriya]

its so sad to see the hurt and struggle priyangika faces. What I don't understand is if her bio mother and family confirmed that they gave the child for adoption to salvation army and the court documents say as such then why did anything need to be falsified or destroyed. while the process and sense of belonging is painful I think the life she was provided was 'better ' than her bio family who were struggling could have ever given and thats why they said they did the right thing .

[@bridgetwadane4392]

Simple, to hide any trace of a money trail! The Salvation Army must have cleaned up the pockets of those Western couples who were desperate to adopt a child. Human trafficking 101!

[@Zazezoo]

They are ignorant illiterate women who believe white people and the west have better life! They don’t understand the effects of childhood trauma! They have been brainwashed to believe wealth makes you happy, until they get to walk in Priyas shoes, they’ll never understand the racism and childhood trauma she was put through! It’s not just about wealth. Many are happier in the third world than the west!

[@jaspal8jan]

Priyangika, there may have been corruption, illegalities but your biological mother and adoptive parents wanted to give you a good life, just be grateful to them and find peace with the life and family you have.. - best wishes from India..

[@eyeswideopen7777]

well someone profited off from the adoption

[@remruatiroyte]

How dare you

[@chriseffiong7506]

He has a valid point. They were mutual consenting adults

[@warmwelkom]

I love to hear that her intuition stayed with her along all the struggles. She's still connected with her spirit and biological family. Her intuition/feelings were always right. And are still worth "a fight" for justice, because it just is. She is from Sri Lanka, should have never been handled to another country and never should have given another name, because there was no consent from her mother'(s family). She has felt that from her mothers family from the beginning and that spirit never left her. Her family was deceived and she feels for her family. That is great spirit. ❤

[@suedeundara8766]

You hit the nail on the head. By the way she even has a beautiful, loving Norwegian husband and children, but she still wants to go after the faults of the system. Good luck. I am sorry for what your adoptive parents are going through at the moment for adopting you and giving you the best future. Please love them, respect them and take care of them in their old age.❤

[@morjana679]

Dear Priyangika, I understand you're looking for answers and closure but unfortunately we live in a world where you may not find all the answers. Please don't make your happiness dependent on that. I hope those terrible people who bullied you will get the punishment they deserve. I think your auntie didn't know how to react to the deep questions you asked. It was very likely not her decision to send you away even if she supported it. She probably doesn't understand why someone who had a loving adoptive family and financial stability could possibly be sad about. She doesn't know the kind of pain you had to go through she only knows her own. So many people love you, your adoptive family, your biological family, your husband and children. You're also a drop dead gorgeous young woman, I'm not even saying this to be nice, I'm completely serious.

[@royaldainties]

She's just a thief. I know this woman

[@ab6750]

Finding "yourself" is a luxury for rich people or people who don't lack many things in life. It's something manywould think about if they live in Sri lanks.

[@fanab8151]

I agree that she was extremely lucky that she did not end up in the human trafficking pipeline, and got such good adoptive parents. But that doesn’t take away from the trauma and pain she feels for being separated from her birth mother. That is a trauma that lasts a lifetime, and no amount of love or riches can make up for it. I hope she finds peace in her life. Peace to all P

[@CapricornDayz]

She did end up in child trafficking...the 'adoption' agency was the traffickers.

[@chetyoubetya8565]

She has no memories at all of her birth mother so what is it she missed??

[@fanab8151]

@chetyoubetya8565 The fact that she went looking for her birth family should answer your question.

[@fathima1639]

everyone telling her how to feel as if she should feel grateful for merely having been raised in a developed nation. There's more to life than that, some of us have gone through things that make us wonder if we could have given away all our luxuries to simply feel loved and belonged by our biological families. I totally empathize with Priyangika who has grown up to be such a warm and emotionally honest person and it breaks my heart to see how she can barely get a hug back or an ounce of emotion from her biological mother after she went through all that just to see her.

[@chetyoubetya8565]

Do you know what type of life she would have had a being a girl from an unmarried woman??

[@fathima1639]

i don't, what's your point?

[@suedeundara8766]

mam recomend her councelling, she will do the best and get enough hugs too

[@glynn5455]

It does feel like Bullying is the reason for the disconnect from Norway that she feels. We'll never know what her childhood would have been like in Sri Lanka but she grew up in a loving home, great country, great education, opportunities, healthy, nice parents & sibling. Many people would kill for that. It's as important to focus on what you have as to what you don't. The name change feels disrespectful to her parent IMO. Maybe making it her middle name would be a happy medium

[@suedeundara8766]

I agree. She is mentally unstable. She needs psychiatric treatment and therapy to adjust herself, otherwise her current family will suffer.

[@AsankaSampath8957]

I live in Sri Lanka and I never went back to Italy

[@chaminsankalpa]

Look how great their adapted parents were. taking a child born to someone else and taking care of the kids as their own. I salute your adapted parents. You would probably ended up with your mothers fate in Sri Lanka if they have not adapted them

[@GF-mj6iq]

Exactly! I feel she's not getting that all. Girlie, needs therapy to heal her old wounds. I understand she must had a desire for community cuz she was raised in a predominately white country but when she cried that she didn't want to be in Norway as a child she wanted to in Sri Lanka with her family I was confused. Sure that's a thought that a kid has but as an adult you should be able to logically say 'I would not have had a decent quality of life being raised in a third world country, around the time of civil conflict with a poor mother who didn't have the means to take of me.' Despite the fact the adoption wasn't above board, her mother intended to give her up cuz she wanted her to have a good life SO I am kinda like 'Girl, you mother loved you but she gave you up cuz she wanted you to be looked after. Why are you disrespecting her sacrifice like this?'

[@sgtmian]

@@GF-mj6iq i think feelings around adoption are very complicated and not always rational, which should be allowed. they are the feelings of a child. when you're adopted you are essentially being born into trauma. even if your adopted family is amazing, even if you didn't experience bullying growing up, even if your biological family made the right decision given the cirumstances, that's still a loss. in a perfect world she would have her biological family from birth and a good childhood with them and be connected with her culture and her people, all things that she never had and she should be able to grieve that loss without being told she should be grateful for what she did get.

[@GF-mj6iq]

@@sgtmian I see your point but I disagree with the concept that being adopted means you're automatically being born into/growing up in trauma. I feel like that idea is subjective & is different from person to person

[@sgtmian]

@@GF-mj6iq not everyone feels traumatized by it, no. but being taken away from the person who birthed you is a trauma, and very few people who that happens to have no issues surrounding that at all.

[@Gadavillers-Panoir]

And yet here we have millions of Sri Lankans trying to get into Scandinavia, particularly Norway because of its status as the per capita wealthiest country in the world. She’s in a perfect position to help her poor biological family now.

[@Neilsowards]

Yes, I wonder how much she helped her bio mother after finding her? Did she make it possible to get medical care, a better living standard, or have a better quality of life? Or did she just keep wishing her mother had kept her and then go back to her high quality of life in Norway? I hope she helped her mother after she found her.

[@leylamaxaley5325]

I can’t say I relate to her story but I feel her pain ❤

[@NoorAB23]

What pain she was blessed with wonderful parents, an education system, economic benefits all the things she would not have been able to attain in her birthplace.

[@raneeranatunga5692]

The selfish greedy people in srilanka cannot understand any one s emotions .they only know material comforts is everything one wants.

[@yasuke4593]

@@NoorAB23 You think when you have all that you mentioned life will be without pain??

[@NoorAB23]

​@@yasuke4593 Look I have lived myself in Norway and let me tell you even 1% of people in Sri Lank don’t live and have the conditions that that country offers. It does not mean there is no pain it’s just pain that is bearable in comparison to Life in Sri Lanka.

[@isanawab1441]

@@NoorAB23 The high life conditions arent what make people happy. They make a person comfortable, not happy. She has every right to not feel like she belongs somewhere, just because she has everything doesnt mean she doesnt crave the love of her biological mother. I too am from Pakistan, I always feel a sense of longing to Pakistan, I'm not even adopted. Some people need different things, increased quality of life isnt all that humans need...

[@iroshakumanayaka7663]

Shame on you salvation army ppl The pain she is going through,its unbearable But godbless you sister Have courage You are an angle❤

[@STRAWYB]

Re watching this documentary I feel for a lot of people. I hope her adoptive parents do not feel as if they let her down because I heard her say that it is absurd to take someone from their country. Sounds a little ungrateful to me. I feel for her mother who did not even know that Norway is a country in Europe. I think her husband seems confused about it all. I can only say her mother did the best for her. I grew up very poor and sometimes wish that I had someone who was there to help me. I would have reached more goals in my life I believe. My mother did all she could to help me and each day I wish she were alive for me to help her more. It is true that sometimes we do not see our real blessings in life.

[@melaninkosijoseph6904]

Imagine having an indigenous name and then they change it, completely erasing your whole ethnic identity...I understood her point

[@chriseffiong7506]

@@melaninkosijoseph6904 imagine your birth mother handing you over to strangers who ended up loving you and gave you what your mother could not give you... Love, most importantly.... I understand you but you see, there is also the side from her Norwegian parents... She hurts but they will also hurt more as their intentions were purely for good...

[@chriseffiong7506]

@@melaninkosijoseph6904 I think her pain runs deeper than the whole adoption thing. I think her pain is way seated... Perhaps it might be rooted in the rejection from her birth parents, then compounded with bullying she faced from school mates... The ways to manage that is not casting blame or trying to find fault with the whole adoption thing but deal with the pain stemming from the rejection from both parents in the first instance. We all want to be loved! I pray that the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will reach her heart and she will be healed. Jesus healed me from depression. He healed my mind.

[@malgaa3655]

How fortunate one to have a home and parents, when the biological mother has decided to give a child away due to whatever the circumstances. I grew up in Sri Lanka, I love this country, nevertheless, I see many children born under such circumstances, sometimes has to go thorough so much difficulties. I think this woman is blessed to receive love from this parents. Looking at the current situation in Sri Lanka, how would someone even imagine a real life situation, should she had remained their with a mother who really does not have any hold. Sadly, we humans forget to appreciate the life we are given most of the time.

[@samsara.gossip]

Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe they get more pleasure when they get hold of a child and manage to violate and a use them. This is a strange perversion Asians and Africans won't understand. Norway commits child abuse at a scale not known even in North Korea or Somalia under clever rhetorics of child protection and child welfare. Nothing can be more repulsive than this deception and scam.

[@sgtmian]

@@samsara.gossip lol, obviously this is a lie and clearly her adoptive parents love her

[@mayl4152]

Her adoptive parents treated her well, but not the rest of Norwegian society it seems. Judging from the amount of bullying she faced as a kid, there’s no doubt that she must also be facing some sort of detachment from other Norwegians

[@TheYasmineFlower]

I think it's probably difficult to see that, though. I mean, Priyangika only lived the life that she lived, which is as an adoptee from Sri Lanka in Norway with two parents and a brother. She has not experienced life in Sri Lanka and can't ever truly know how she would have felt if the adoption had not happened. And whether or not it really would have been better if she had stayed in Sri Lanka and grown up there, I can only imagine how difficult it is to deal with this kind of thing. It's like you have a clear point from which you can tell that your life took a drastically different path. Perhaps a slightly similar situation would be those people who are born in one country and when they are still very young their parents move to a different country: There is a fixed point from which one can say "If this had not happened, my life would have been very different".

[@deepikadamayanthi4246]

Really sad😢for her I watched and cry but good luck for her future god bless her family 🙏🏼

[@Srilankan_girl]

as a srilankan,this is heartbreaking to see😢💔

[@zeenathshiffani1036]

I cried after watching this May almighty help her 😢

[@chamilajla17]

Me too. So emotional 😢

[@VirtualR]

The families I know who adopted internationally (primarily from South Korea) in the last few decades have made it a priority to live between the two countries so their kids can grow up knowing their homeland and their adopted country, this seems to have made a big difference to the kids who are now in their mid - late twenties. The majority of my family were also adopted, however this was around 60 years ago, the governments involved normally tried to hide the adoption from the kids by issuing new birth certificates in their adopted names and refusing to release further information, however sometimes there weren't even birth certificates and that lead to how some family members found out they were actually adopted. It wasn't until recently that my mother was able to have her original adoption documents released from the UK, where she found out she was adopted from Ireland. Unfortunately her birth mother had passed away by this time, however she was able to reunite with her sisters. Some of my other family members were adopted around the same time and have no documents at all so were unable to find their birth parents, even though it was disclosed to them about their adoption when they were kids. They all had very good and fortunate upbringings in a good family and are still happy today, which they (from those we know the back-story of) definitely wouldn't have had if adoption wasn't provided. The times have changed a lot, the knowledge of and ability to connect with the birth family and cultural background, even if it is a similar culture or even the same country, is something that is needed to avoid the heartache adoption can cause.

[@ianwatson3315]

Respect to parents who adopt.

[@ednadcosta2525]

It's not easy for a child to be separated from her biological mother. Nothing in the world can substitute for a Mom.

[@greenleaf4267]

♥Love this adopted parents♥.Amazing couple. God Bless you all!“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

[@ns86532]

Great documentary. Priyangika you have a lovely life though your past eats your energy am sure. This film brings out the many loopholes in the adoption processes...hope they all get fine tuned and the procedures more legalized so adopted children dont have to go through this trauma. God Bless you and your family in Norway and in Sri Lanka.

[@akilairantha7552]

I think whole europe and usa should be ashamed of their school system because bullying is a common thing in their schools but in sri lanka i wouldnt say 100% bullying proof because calling offensive names and fighting in playground is a common thing in childhood but we will never hurt a person like things happened to priyangika specially to a girl...

[@PraveenaLiyanage-bt4ed]

To those who says that Priyangika is better off getting adopted and she has a good life, then you’ve got no idea! Your reality and her reality is different. Not everything is about having a roof over your head and having three meals in your belly as many people in this documentary seem to be preaching. I’m sure she had better opportunities because of her adoption but she is entitled to feel connected and find her true self . It’s similar to that parrots story in the Jaathaka story. What could / should /would have been .. we are talking here about someone’s life. She could have had a whole different personality ! Think about that. She doesn’t have any other experience as we do to compare her self to find out whether she actually had been fortunate. Your values and her values are different. This girl has gone through a lot of trauma especially during the 90s where the inclusion and diversity was not always prioritised. She must have always felt different and wanting more in life and wanting to be connected. It’s worst because no one is taking responsibility for any of the shortfalls. The women at the Salvation Army was lying to her face! They were all avoiding the truth that children were sold with the aid of the authority to make money! I truly hope that Priyangika would find peace and stay connected to her true self which she has been searching for her entire life! I hope she would be able to understand and accept that life could have been traumatic for a child born out of wedlock in Sri Lanka. But her feelings are valid! Trauma has many different faces. I would never not want to know who my mother is because we are who we are because of our roots!

[@Catcapozzi]

"Not everything is about having a roof over your head and having three meals in your belly ." Yeah tell that to the Sri Lankan families whose very survival was at risk during the civil war. Her birth mother made it clear--they couldn't take care of her. Her father wasn't around.The "trauma" inflicted on her by school bullies pales in comparison to the legitimate traumas she could have witnessed had she grown up with her birth family where food wasn't always a given, love and attention were not givens, and basic safety was not a given. Look at Maslow's heirarchy. She is only able to even THINK about love and belonging, self-actualization, etc--all of the things she's caring about in this documentary--because she had a base of safety and psychological. Those wouldn't have been a given in Sri Lanka if she was raised there. We are all dealt a certain hand in life. Priyangika's--in the big picture of human experiences--is a pretty good one.

[@Juuxr]

Unfortunate people are comparing "worst traumas" and "better traumas". No empathy at all.

[@kingofzanzibar9980]

Adoption is legal or not ,the Norwegian parents have given her a good life.

[@Yv1o5]

Do you mean she has no right to find out her roots? The good life was also full of pain and misery from not feeling part of that culture. Most adopted children always want to know why they were adopted because for them it feels like they were rejected by their biological parents. It’s not always about money and wealth.

[@carolinekamya2339]

@@Yv1o5 exactly - people can be so simplistic

[@kithgunawardane7950]

Unfortunately, you cannot do anything about the past now. But you can always plan your future. Wish you a peaceful life Duwa!!!. By the way your Norwegian parents are lovely people. we are very thankful to them for looking after you very well.

[@MC-fw5vt]

I think Sri Lankan people are lovely and full of gratitude, with many of them saying thank you to the Norwegian parents!

[@chukruuchukruu-mv8rb]

How did the teachers or other adults in the school miss the horrible " toilet face washing" and so sorry that you did not have a safe environment so u could tell your teacher or another adult .

[@chukruuchukruu-mv8rb]

You are very fortunate that you had and have 2 mothers who loved you . Most of us have just 1. Both your mothers took huuuge risks to have you . Keep in mind that even for people that are not adopted out does not mean that they were always planned and wanted. Even those who were not adopted out go through trials and tribulations of one kind or another. The most important thing is your mission was successful: you met your biological family and your birth mother.Moat are not so lucky. You miss shoes until you meet someone with no feet.

[@jewelmarie3424]

A mothers love… her biological mom loved her daughter too much to know that she wanted better for her newborn and made the difficult, yet, selfless decision to have her daughter adopted. I find it always humbling, to be reminded that adoption doesn’t mean that the child is/was unwanted, but wanted so badly… just parents realizing perhaps they’re little one will have better opportunities for success in a different home. 🕊️🙏

[@champikalds]

No one is seeing the grief in her soul! I spent time in Scandinavia living with a family in a very well off background on a study program. Although all treated me well I never felt like I belonged there. I saw adopted kids with families and always wondered what they would feel when they didn’t look like the others and was different in colour, build and in many ways. I do empathize with you and understand your pain. Be strong, at least you were allowed to have a life thanks to the adoption. I came back at the first opportunity and never wanted to leave my home. Much love to you ❤

[@victory6904]

Her pain doesn't come from her adoptive parents, her pain comes from school kids who traumatized her.

[@gingerwingerful]

I think you nailed it

[@Zazezoo]

@@victory6904her parents never protected her from racists nor made effort to connect her wit her family! They could have easily maintained a relationship with her biological mum!

[@saggiteightyfour8367]

Yes, this exactly. They treat you well but they can be very cold, liked their country.

[@saggiteightyfour8367]

@@victory6904 no, she doesn't care what those young kids did. Her pain comes from the fact that her adoptive parents could not understand her experiences of racism and bullying, so could not console her the way a parent should. I know when I was bullied, my parents immediately went to the principal and made a big fuss.

[@anojadharmapala306]

Priyanthika thanks for sharing your story. I am so glad your biological Amma able to hug you and talk to you before she passed away. I remember those overseas adoption banned long time ago. Your adopted parents took care of you and brother lovingly. Your case very common in Sri Lanka. Many maids get rape by the adult male in the house. The class system and poverty. Your life story could be worst than what you live now. Material wise may be but emotionally it look like you suffered a lot. Its best to let it ago. Be thankful for your life now with a loving partner and your own children. Be proud who you are. You can visit Sri Lanka when ever you can. Apply for dual citizenship and start appriciating your new found relatives. You are way to healing. Good luck. Be happy. ❤ if your Amma Buddhist she will advice past attachments suffering. It does bring you sadness, anxiety and depression. Live to the present. Be happy and content what you have now. Wish you all the best.

[@deepale1497]

Very touching story of a daughter who came back to see her biological mother .

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching. 🙌

[@Ahamed959]

She is innocent and I can understand that how she was suffered during her school life because of colour difference racism and psychological issues also, huge respect to her and lots love to her as a brother ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ End of the day we are human and only share love and humanity each together ❤ 🤲 ❤ 🤲 ❤ 🤲

[@suedeundara8766]

Come on that happens to everybody who lives in a country that they don't look the indegenous people.

[@Catsandcoffee123]

Honestly, it's absolutely infuriating how out of touch with reality some people can be. Everybody talking about how bullying is such a big trauma, as if bullying would've never been an issue if she were back home. You know what? There's bigger traumas back home, like rape and abuse and exploitation. If she had a stable family setting to start with, it would've been a different thing but she didn't!! I think it's important to cover stories of children from similar backgrounds (single mum, with no means to support the kid) who remained in Sri Lanka, and show how their lives have turned out and ask them for their perspectives. This is just giving one privileged side of the story.

[@MC-fw5vt]

What you said makes a lot of sense. I myself did not fully realize my privilege until I lost it.

[@SecretLemonadeDrinker]

My love, when you hold your mothers hand and said you wanted to be there with your family.. At that moment your mum could not get her words out as to not overpower your hurt feelings. Your mother has been torn apart with heartache and it’s been a lonely battle for her as she carried guilt heavily but had no help or support for you. Your mother kept going back but they wouldn’t let her see you, she waited for you. Very touching story. And what beautiful people to take you in and care for you unconditionally. 💚🌸

[@aboveandbeyound9605]

Just be happy with the adoption parents who took u as their own.

[@Abi75789]

It was so heart broken when she was crying to her aunt. Her pain is so real and not everyone can understand. So sorry to you and your innocent mother. Just that particular man destroyed everyone is path somehow. Please, just peace with your life and move forward with happiness Priyangi❤

[@sharky2105]

What a shame that this young woman who has received so very much from a country and a family appears unable to unappreciate any of it. She just sees herself as incomplete and a victim. How many refugees have suffered and sacrificed just for a chance to have what she takes for granted? Her mother had an affair with a married man and willingly abandoned her, yet she sees her as a saint. She is very mixed up.

[@michelle41037]

Don't judge unless you have walked in the same shoes

[@hlaks1207]

Thank you Al Jazeera for your activism

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching. 🙌

[@nav6545]

I understand Priyangika wanting to find her roots, wanting to find a place she belongs and wanting to know her mum and rest of her biological family. On the other hand, she was brought up with love and opportunities provided by her adaptive parents. Not every child who is adapted has a good life with loving parents but she luckily did. Her mum did what she thought was best for her by giving her up. No one can say with 100% certainty that she is happier now than if she lived in Sri Lanka but she would have faced a lot of hardship surviving and gaining an education as her biological father didn’t want to help. The best thing to do now is to visit Sri Lanka often or move to Sri Lanka for a while as she feels so comfortable here and see if she actually wants to return permanently but that may be difficult as she is married with kids.

[@malithsureweere9306]

Exactly. I think she is making an unnecessary hype about it. I am sure you know what will happen to such a child to let grow in the social background which she was born.

[@MalJay-qf9mb]

@@malithsureweere9306 I think Priyangika should be grateful not only to her lovely biological mother but also to her loving and caring adoptive parents. If her biological mother hadn't taken that decision to give her to the Salvation Army then as her aunt (mum's siter) has said to her that she would have been living in poverty and definitely may not have had the education that she had in the Norway. but if she really thinks that she belongs in Sri Lanka ten by all means she can always go and live in this beautiful island as there are a lot of foreigners from west living in SL permanently.

[@Zazezoo]

@@malithsureweere9306she was bullied and never accepted In the white community. She has every right to know her roots! She seems happier in Sri Lanka ! If you wanna be adopted by a rich family and taken away from your family cos of wealth, then that’s you. Don’t expect everyone to be like you!

[@Zazezoo]

@@MalJay-qf9mbNo, you are just being judgemental! It’s not about wealth, family is more important and knowing your roots! She looks nothing like her adoptive parents and was constantly bullied by white kids, so don’t expect her to love her environment. Until you walk in her shoes, perhaps you should try to be a bit empathetic.

[@beautifulsquidward7736]

the feeling of belonging when you are an anomaly especially in a hostile environment is more than valid of a reason for her to feel these things. Growing up in a rural community in Norway must in the 00s must be a very scarring experience for her

[@Christine-Tina]

I really liked what the Sri Lankan lawyer said at one point, which was that it was as much Norway's responsibility to ensure that child adoptions went through legal channels, as it was Sri Lanka's. Yes. Why must the burden of transparency and that of abiding by laws rest exclusively on the poor and their corrupt officials? In situations like this, there is corruption on both sides, and hence, the exploitation of the poor and their children by all parties involved.

[@pattyfisher8839]

What an emotional burden to carry! May she find healing

[@lakshikawickrama486]

I feel you Priyangika..., not that I have a story similar to you, but I see the pain and frustration in your eyes. I also know happiness is not about the luxuries or comforts around you, it's much broader and deeper than that.. You need to have that acceptance, inclusivity, and feeling of belongingness in a community, in a country, in a particular land, that you can call home wholeheartedly.. I never understood how important it is until I shifted to another country looking for greener pastures. I have all the comforts in the world at my fingertips now, but at the same time, I have this yearning for my home! The place where I belong! My roots! The reality in life is that we can't have everything. But knowing the truth, being able to make a conscious trade-off between what we want and where we want to be, is a right that everyone must have. I believe the journey to Sri Lanka to find your roots and the courses that led to your adoption are able to provide you enough facts to make that vital decision in your life. I wish you the courage, strength and wisdom to find peace and much-needed closure to the questions you have / had !!!

[@dolmatsering9800]

This is such a beautiful documentary that truly captures both sides of a coin. I see many people wrote in the comments that she should feel grateful for her Norwegian parents and her new life that brings much more better opportunities to her. Even though she doesn't explicitly says it, but I can feel she has love and respect for her Norwegian parents for all of their love and support, however, she still yearns for the love of her biological mother and can feel a part of her identity stolen (with foreign name and lack of information on her parents and homeland) and being bullied beyond words for being looking different in Norway. I equally respect her and her brother for the path they chose. One decided to look for the birth parents while the other chose not to.

[@TenzinLhamo-g6m]

Norway is a child thief state and they love to steal Indian child for their intelligence. Stipbit Norway you bastards

[@Catsandcoffee123]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. There's no two sides of the coin shown here... They only show how she feels like a victim.. the second side would've been to show the story of a similar girl who didn't get adopted and remained an orphan in Sri Lanka.

[@dolmatsering9800]

@@Catsandcoffee123 I think your comment states what I was trying to say. Many people would think being adopted to a well developed country would be a blessing but only the person who gets adopted will know the uncertainty yhat comes with it. Just like that, not everyone who lives and remains in Sri Lanka envy a fancy life. These are my thoughts. And you are entitled to your thoughts just like how I am.

[@TheYasmineFlower]

I agree with you. It was really beautiful to see all the nuances. I especially liked Priyangika's conversation with her auntie: They were both hurting, the maternal family did what they thought was best for the child, but it did not turn out quite the way they had hoped for said child. And that's a difficult thing to grapple with for both of them.

[@Dodilafir]

It's emotional, just imagine what little Priyangika might have gone through as a kid. Respect for her adopted parents they have given her everything even her biological mother would know this but its not the money or living in the West that would make someone happy. Sri Lanka has a dubious record of selling babies from the many documentaries from the past .

[@gayathreesenevirathne7222]

Sri Lanka is not only responsible.. it was done by the salvation army together with Norway.. what she is trying to show is what actually happened

[@Truthseeker371]

Domestic adoption must be the first priority. Keeping the record of birth mother is not always easy, but preferable. Most adopted out children look for the roots later in the life. Whatever the case is, the adopting parent/s is admirable. However, these days child abuse and trafficking is another problematic issue.

[@seaofroses8888]

I agree. When people adopt domestically, things like this are rare because generally it is known who the parents are, and there are regulations

[@hibiscussunflower5916]

In domestic adoption, especially in Asian countries the adopted child will end up as 'invisible' servant to the adopted family. Given only minimum education and expected to take care of adopted parents in their old age.

[@daintyflygirl4va]

Sad sad

[@Truthseeker371]

​​@@hibiscussunflower5916I have heard the cases like that. However, adoption takes place without the child consent. Only between the agent and the adoptive parent/s. Many countries still have traditions that the children would look after the ageing parents. If they can and will, that's wonderful, nothing to be negative about. In the Westernised societies, old parents have no other choice but to go to the old age care and some don't get visitors. That's the lonely reality. What it matters is the adopted child is thankful for adoption or not. We all have to die sooner or later. We have to count blessings rather than fretting for fantasy. I am pragmatic.

[@s2793]

Dear Priyangika, First of all, my sincere condolences to you on the death of your biological mother. I am a resident of Sri Lanka. I was born and bred in Sri Lanka and am in my early 20's. If you would like to talk to someone about Sri Lanka, about my experience growing up as a young girl in Sri Lanka etc., I would be more than happy to do that for you. I know that you have many unanswered questions. Although I am unable to help you with regards to your missing documents or adoption process, I would be happy to answer any question that I am capable of answering. If you would like to have a chat sometime, please reply to this comment and I will share my contact with you. I will keep a lookout for your response for the next 2 months. Regardless of whether or not you wish to take up my offer, I wish you the very best, dear Priyangika. Take care. xoxo

[@samanmudannayaka9604]

That salvation army people sounded very dodgy.

[@nilakshandissanayake1379]

Be thankful for a life with your adopted parents. They are your parents in my opinion. Just be happy with that

[@runiw]

Choice made by a very young mother for a better future of her child..... sacrifice was so great the mother baby bond was never forgotten.... that's why she came back. Because the mother never forgot her child!

[@sasasthisu]

honestly speaking she looks like deepika padukone from India the features are so similar

[@geraldinekaupa]

I agree, i thought so too.

[@chamarama9349]

​@@geraldinekaupai see bit of aishwarya from side

[@IvaK2458]

I can see sadness in her eyes - she seems very depressed. I understand all of that, but also - she shows disrespect to her adoptive parents. They have never made her feel adopted, she was their child. Bullying can happen to any of us, it sux - most of us have been through it. I hope she can find happiness.

[@hendrinamhango2613]

Total disrespect to her loving adoptive parents..she was NOT STOLEN her mother gave her up for adoption. It was the right thing to do at that time. I don't understand her..I understand wanting to know your roots I understand wanting to meet your family , she did all that so what's the point now? I can't believe her she grew up a way better life thanks to her mothers decision. Then she talks about experiences in Norway. That's expected she was different but I wouldn't say it was so bad to the point where it was better in Srilanka!

[@IvaK2458]

@@hendrinamhango2613 I agree 100%!! She comes across so ungrateful.. unreal, it’s like she wants to erase anything that has to do with those two wonderful people that gave her an amazing, loving life.

[@hendrinamhango2613]

@IvanaKrekovic I'm wondering what she expected to find at the salvation army 🤔 Those ladies don't know what exactly she is looking for all birth records are there. It's like she is trying to prove that there was something illegal about her adoption. She is able to fly around the world to Sri Lanka, lives a good life her kids are born in a good hospital she has everything she needs. But she is asking the ladies for what exactly! Her mother TOLD HER she gave her up for adoption. Would she even be able to fly around like that if she gree up in Srilanka? Would her kids be in well off like that? Would she even have an Education..I was bullied in my own country because I looked different! It happens I dont condone it it affected my relationship with my countrymen but I grew up and got over it and I know it happens everywhere! She made me so angry when she interrogated her auntie 😤 the poor woman told her the painful truth you could see the pain in her eyes! And she has the gal to say she dint want to be adopted look at her now better off than any of them ! What were they supposed to feed her! They had nothing! How were they supposed to care for her! Is she so blind tontheir suffering! My gosh can anyone be so ungrateful!

[@IvaK2458]

@@hendrinamhango2613 I couldn't agree more with you...very well written. She is able to raise her children in the comfort of her new home, that many lack to even feed their kids in Sir Lanka. It is sad how ungrateful people can be.

[@romanticizedimmigration4659]

Priyangika here. Interesting to read through strangers on the internet analyze my emotions and experience. First of all, my foster parents raised me as a foster child and was very much open with the fact that I wasn’t their child only! Second of all, They would have never went on with the adoption if they were aware of the fact that Amma didn’t confirm a permanent foreign adoption. Third of all, If you grow up with your family - you’ll simply not understand how it feels like to not do it. Telling people to be grateful for traumas is manipulation! Opportunities can not justify not knowing who your roots are. I wasn’t raised knowing the person who gave birth to me, my children knows that and have access to everything I didn’t, which doesn’t give them the extra traumas and identity crisis. They have a great relationship with everyone in our life and are being raised as Sri Lankan foreigners

[@imjustvisiting5397]

She looks a bit like Aishwarya Rai from some angles.

[@FreedomBreeze24]

YES

[@lewiosa1479]

A person's quest for their roots and their home can never be ridiculed, questioned, or made light of, as it is their origin and a delicate part of themselves. The fact that you had to go through so much to get only so far hurts me. In my eyes there are so many I would point my fingers at to your situation, but my eyes are the eyes of an outsider who has lived a life not needing to question my start, they are eyes which are judgemental, objective and have never seen life as yours have. I pray that God almighty instils peace and tranquillity in your heart, and may you find your own purpose in life.

[@cliodhna6365]

those women from the orphanage were not what I expected. Maybe there was a language barrier, but it was quite unsettling how they didn't appear to take the situation seriously.. Instinctivly I wouldn't intrust them. 😞

[@Sofia-ef1sv]

Sense of identity and belonging are fundamental human needs. Adoptive parents of ethnic children often mean well but are truly not aware of conscious and subconscious psychological impacts the children go through. The challenge of growing up feeling like you don't belong, plus racism and bullying. Family and community ties are so strongly embedded in ethnic people's DNA. They will always prefer to stay with their family and community no matter what hardships. This is why we see many immigrant groups having difficulty adjusting to a new country/culture. Their home country ceases to exist once a war/crisis breaks out. Their identity and sense of home/belonging are taken away. It's very dangerous. People can't just relocate to a different location, get a job, adjust and be 'grateful'.

[@suedeundara8766]

But things have changed so much so when USA became the country of immigrants and strict laws on racism. Other countries have learnt from them. And, now the countries who adopted other ethnic groups are fighting back for their cultural rights!!

[@matildamaher1505]

Happy she was united to her biological mum. I cried when her mum was explaining the reason of her adoption. Also felt so sad when she apoke about her being bullied.

[@samsara.gossip]

Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe

[@bbnCRLB]

I think it's unfair to guilt the couple that gave you a chance of better life. They really loved you as theirs. You should be grateful for that. Just like your step brother. He's contented with the life he was given.

[@spooky4069]

This is the thing I hate - people act as though adopted children have to be grateful for being adopted???? No, they don't.

[@jessicastar1360]

No adoptee needs to be grateful. What a cruel burden to put on babies and children.

[@anajaparidze7102]

Even though it should have been really difficult for her to be bullied this way, I feel really sorry especially for her adopted parents, This documentary made me never want to adopt a child. I don’t know what her relationship with her adoptive parents has been like but she does not respect them enough to feel this way and so unhappy with her being adopted in Norway. Instead of being grateful for everything she had and for the opportunity for better future, warm home and support this family gave her she still digs her past and grieves over it like somebody sent her to prison.

[@tibetnews239]

Adoption is morally wrong and should be made illegal by Uno

[@samsara.gossip]

Don't justify child abuse in Norway

[@tanned06]

The intention your biological mom had been clear - she just wished that you could survive and grow up better in a loving, protected family as she could barely provide anything guaranteeing your basic needs and survival in that difficult time. Her intention was noble and practical, standing wholly on your welfare. You shouldn't just look at a few traumatic incidents at which you were discriminated and laughed at in your childhood and thought she had done a mischief. You most likely wouldn't grow into this having a supportive family and marriage life if you had not been sent out.

[@Zazezoo]

A few traumatic incidents? We’re you there! Do you know what childhood trauma does to people? Her adopted family should have maintained their relationship with her biological family and protected her from those racists! That trauma will affect her until she seeks therapy!

[@Catsandcoffee123]

​​@@Zazezoo you're saying she wouldn't have had any trauma back in her country of origin? Her mom was abandoned by the bio dad. Single moms are looked down upon in Asian countries, and she would've been bullied by kids and even other families. The kids back in Norway bullied her saying her mom didn't want her. But back in Sri Lanka it would've been very similar where the kids would've bullied her saying her dad didn't want her. Bullying is an awful thing, but nothing guarantees that a child won't have trauma. Her bio mom did not think it would be easy, but better for the kid. There's a difference

[@Zazezoo]

@@Catsandcoffee123 You are really good at gaslighting people aren’t you? When did I ever say she wouldn’t have experienced any trauma back home or the bio mum did anything wrong? All your comments have been about calling her ungrateful that she had a better life in Europe. You are making up stories, Yet She’s speaking about reality that happened in Norway! You don’t know what would have happened but just making assumptions of what could have! You don’t know if she would have been bullied back home being a product of a single mum and the bio dad/ family might have accepted her or still not in the end. I know The mum gave her up for adoption for a better life, she didn’t dump her in some ditch or neglected her. Not everyone gets bullied back home Just for poverty considering they lived in a very deprived community. So poor kids would have called her poor? And yes products of single parents get looked down upon, but the bullying in the west is not even the same as what you experience in your home country. Those kids in Norway were also racist. Those who experience poverty and hardship in the third world at times turn out stronger and successful. In the west however, bullying usually leads to nothing but people developing mental health issues. when you report racism to whites people they usually down play it . Due to white privilege, they are usually blind to struggles and racism other races face. They only understand their own white struggle. How did those kids in Norway know she was adopted that they would call her poor and smear things on her to look like a poor kid? This clearly shows it was also racial, not just because she was adopted. They picked on her because she was not white like them. Many biracial kids in Europe get bullied by the whites and this isn’t the first time. How were the adoptive parents so ignorant and blind to what was going on? Even when she was telling them this they didn’t look shocked at all, they just said they could have helped if they knew. Why didn’t they maintain the relationship with the bio mum and kept her real name? They have her their name! We’ve witnessed kids in America who were adopted by whites and ended up in bad situation that they too started asking questions and looking for their bio parents. These people treat these kids like they would treat their pet dogs. They only adopt then cos they feel sorry for them and want to take them out of poverty, and when it reality hits, they fail terribly and they don’t consider the kids mental health when trying to change them to fit into their white culture! That’s not how you raise a kid! But if you wanna bow down to the west and look down on Asian culture then good for you!

[@azaelia2000]

Trust me I lived in India and it's the same as in Sri Lanka. Women there are not safe and her trauma would have been worst if she was still with her biological Mom.

[@SukmaHema]

Hi you are so beautiful like indian actress Deepika Padukone .

[@thusitharathnayaka7305]

The parents adopted her they are grateful ❤❤❤

[@alehanjdro1]

I suggest that to prevent family separation, foster parents should adopt orphans verified with no living parents, otherwise they instead consider sponsoring children whose parents can't support them economically. There have been cases of Indian children being abducted from their families and put into orphanages for adoption profits. I understand LGBT or infertile people wish to adopt children.

[@luisafrance1635]

There a lot of parents whose don’t take care of their children. I was thinking of adopting but I have changed my mind, because I don’t want to spend my life loving and caring for someone who don’t want me.

[@igorG5820]

@@luisafrance1635 Go for adoption if you can. Don't listen to any body. In some parts of the world children are dying from starvation , they live short life in hell and die in hell . If you are able to adopt you ll make a child happy and in return you ll become happy

[@seaofroses8888]

I’m not sure where you live. Here in the states, if a child in foster care has parents, adoption is not the first option. That generally happens if for example the parents have a history of neglect, are in jail with long sentences, ect.

[@jmk1962]

​@@seaofroses8888- Same in the UK.

[@catarinadjenabalde4933]

Some documents are falsified. Some part Africa, Asia and Americas are all part of scam adoption and the government and charities are all involve in it. You should watch documenteries about adopted children of cambodia.

[@htainlindwa7603]

I felt sad that she didn't get to spend more time with her biological mother, but I could also see that she loved her very much. What I she should do is maybe spend some more time with her aunt? I have a lot to say, but I'll just say this, they both deserved each other love. The Norwegian couple are great people as well.

[@sandunsudusinghe5799]

Lawyer is 100% clear and correct😊

[@dominic6055]

5:05 I don't think grandma liked the news of a grandson, she understood that having children in an inappropriate environment is a horrible decision that leads to a spiral of misery for society.

[@MeowIsNotaCat]

i raged during the salvation army scene. they are the same everywhere - that arrogance and callousness. to tell that stupid lie about the rats made my blood boil. i hope they believe in karma.

[@samsara.gossip]

Salvation army are sadists. And Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe

[@chathurinelum6723]

දුප්පත්කම නිසා නේද මේ හැම දෙයක්ම.ඔයාව අඳුරන්නේ නැති වුණාට දැනෙන වේදනාව.😔😔 ඔයාත් මේ රටට අයිති සම්පතක් නේද?ඔයාගේ නෑදෑයෝත් එක්ක ඔයාට ජීවත් වෙන්න තියෙන අයිතිය.කිසිම දරුවෙකුට මේ වගේ වේදනාවක් ඇති නොවේවා. ඔයා මොන රටක හිටියත් ඔයා අපේ 😔❤❤ හැමදාම සතුටින් පරිස්සමින් ඉන්න ලැබේවා.

[@Keepinitreel108]

She doesn't feel grateful and is behaving like some sort of victim. Reality is she VERY lucky to be adopted out of Sri Lanka. Her life would have been hell if she stayed with her mother who is clearly not of sound mind or means to have looked after her. Her adoptive parents are heros. Her brother seems more logical.

[@carstenhansen5757]

I have to agree on all points. However, she may have been adopted too late, since she seem to remember Sri Lanka.

[@oskarumesh2394]

Yes , very true.

[@justanothermortal1373]

You need to look at it from her perspective of things. Clearly she is put in a very traumatic situation. Her anger spurs from her inability to belong in neither Norway or Sri Lanka. It's a very isolating feeling.

[@truthisbitter9801]

@@justanothermortal1373 whome to Blame now ? This girl should understand the adoptive parents did it with good intentions and her biological dad refused her and mom gave up on her. Now she is seeking for the love from her biological parents but sadly she also should focus on the love that her adoptive parents gave her. She should be also thankful for that

[@gingerwingerful]

That's the reason why international adoptions shud be banned she is disrespectful honestly she needs to grow up and move on instead of loving her kids and her adoptive parents she is busy chasing after people who rejected her mother what makes her think her fathers kids will love her

[@dilbil7844]

Every child should get god blessings to stay with their biological parents

[@lily_m3538]

She had great adoptive parents and a wonderful family life with opportunities that millions of people long for. She should make the most of it.

[@truthisbitter9801]

@@comment2kare absolutely true ... But the Norwegian parents are suffering for the sake of adopting this child . They thought they can give her a good life but the reality is this girl has no time to enjoy her blessings but seeking answers for what went wrong in her life. The first to blame are her own biological parents. Especially her father who didn't help the single mother to raise the kid.

[@kaveeshafernando8252]

She has every right to feel any way she feels. We are not in her shoes to judge.

[@Zazezoo]

@@kaveeshafernando8252exactly! Many are so judgemental assuming wealth is synonymous with good life. The European culture is totally different from Asian culture, so naturally she never fit in! She started questioning from when she was 3 yrs old, suggesting she was made to feel different and like an inferior.

[@Yv1o5]

It also pains to know that corruption was involved and her biological mum was not fully aware of the process.

[@truthisbitter9801]

@@Yv1o5 Whatever she gave the baby with her own hands to the Norwegian parents. They showed the picture also. Now it's painful for the daughter but the Mom gave the daughter now the daughter is asking questions because she feels pain knowing that. It's always painful for the baby.. but now she should understand the reality and move on .

[@renataostertag6051]

She should count her blessings that she was adopted by this Norwegian family.

[@marialorenavillanueva5342]

Ita painful to watched she grueling her Auntie. I do understand where she is coming from... but like what the auntie said, due to the circumstances, they dont have any choice but to give her away...

[@samsara.gossip]

Norwegians are sadists. They enjoy causing and watching pain in others, they get a thrill inside. Sadism or schadenfreude is a new concept in Asia but is common in north Europe they get more pleasure when they get hold of a child and manage to violate and a use them. This is a strange perversion Asians and Africans won't understand. Norway commits child abuse at a scale not known even in North Korea or Somalia under clever rhetorics of child protection and child welfare. Nothing can be more repulsive than this deception and scam.