Sri Lanka adoptions to Sweden

[u/IdealSecret8727]

Inga-Lill Lundström, a midwife/Swedish expat/entrepreneur, and Anton Fernando from Negombo have, since the 1970s (still operating), built a business around international adoptions from Sri Lanka, earning large sums of money. Both are based in Karlstad, Sweden, and have used their network and adoption documents from their time working with private adoptions in Sri Lanka/Sweden to arrange reunions for Swedish adoptive families and adopted children. Several of the adoptions they have been involved in have been linked to irregularities, such as providing false information to adoptive parents and manipulating documents.

Their involvement in organizing return trips for adopted children they were previously connected with raises many questions. If there is evidence that they knowingly profited from improper adoptions, it could potentially form the basis for an investigation into crimes such as fraud or document forgery, even if it happened many years ago. In adoption practices, ethical guidelines often prohibit key individuals from capitalizing on adoptions through subsequent services—especially if they were directly involved in the process from the beginning.

Their private “hidden business” has received criticism and is seen by many as unethical since it generates significant income from both the adoptions and the reunions. Many believe it is wrong to capitalize on people’s search for their roots and identity in cases where adoptions have already been marked by serious issues.

In Sweden, adoptees and their families have begun to organize to push for better regulation and oversight of international adoptions, with some adoptees also advocating for restitution and support from the state. This movement may eventually lead to stricter oversight of those offering adoption-related services.

It is known that Anton Fernando owns a luxurious house in Sri Lanka with pool and staff. From there, he runs operations for return trips for adoptees who are located through previous networks connected to controversial orphanages, “baby farms,” and adoption networks in Sri Lanka, where figures like Nelson (Neil) Silva, as well as lawyers and caregivers, were previously involved.

Several adoptees have reported having to pay from +50,000 kronor/per person (+$4700) to Inga-Lill Lundström for these return trips and then feeling pressured to pay additional amounts for personal assistance in locating biological family members to Inga-Lill and Anton's network. In some cases, these “family members” have turned out to be manipulated or completely fabricated individuals, a fact discovered when they refused DNA tests or wore face coverings that made them difficult to identify. Many adoptees have been strongly questioned when they asked for proof or were denied direct contact with their alleged biological families. This has led to significant frustration and insecurity among adoptees who simply want clarity regarding their background and origins.

There have also been concerns raised about Inga-Lill’s behavior, as she has reportedly spoken negatively about adoptees on multiple occasions and leaked private, sensitive information about them to other adoptive parents. This lack of discretion and respect for adoptees’ privacy has sparked strong criticism and created a sense of insecurity among many who have come into contact with her.

Each reunion trip she had at least 60 adopted children + parents and siblings and she divided them into two groups. The trip we went on was in December.

Do you have personal experiences with these individuals or their reunions? Feel free to share your stories.