Cross-border love story: Sri Lankan woman seeks Indian Citizenship to stay with Facebook friend turned husband

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Shivakumari Vigneshwari from Sri Lanka traveled to India to tie the knot with her Facebook friend of six years, 28-year-old Laxman from Chittoor district. Their love story unfolded when Laxman, a mason from Arimakulapalle, V Kota mandal, connected with Vigneshwari on Facebook back in 2017. After years of friendship, they decided to take their relationship to the next level, and on July 20, they exchanged vows at a serene temple in V Kota, Chittoor district.

However, as their wedding news spread like wildfire on social media, the couple faced a hurdle. Since Vigneshwari arrived in Andhra Pradesh on a tourist visa on July 8, the authorities required her to leave the country before August 15, when her visa would expire, or seek an extension. Despite the setback, the couple remained optimistic.

Vigneshwari expressed her desire to stay in India permanently and live with her husband, seeking Indian citizenship for herself. The Chittoor district police, represented by Superintendent Y Rishanth Reddy, were supportive, explaining the necessary procedures and criteria for obtaining citizenship. On Saturday, Vigneshwari formally applied for a year-long extension of her visa, hoping to receive the extension on the grounds of her marriage to an Indian citizen.

As the couple eagerly awaits the decision, the police advised them to register their marriage officially. This step would safeguard them from any potential legal complexities in the future, ensuring their love remains strong and secure. This extraordinary love story, following in the footsteps of other Indo-Pak cross-border romances like Seema-Sachin and Anju-Nasrullah, has captivated the locals and touched hearts worldwide.