An Appeal to Sri Lankan Professionals
to Look West, and East
Dilrook Kannangara
The purpose of this letter is only to shed some light on the plight
of many professionals in Sri Lanka today and to point out a way out,
in my personal view, which most already know but reluctant to make the
next step. I had a first hand account of the sorry state of some Sri
Lankan professionals recently; from accountants, engineers, doctors
to architects and clerks, stagnation of the national economy has struck
a deadly blow. Of course, they have enough to lead a marginally comfortable
life, but severe difficulties exist in acquiring capital goods in Sri
Lanka. Purchasing a land and building a house is just impossible for
a professional; even renovating an inherited house is next to impossible;
buying an own car is also a impossibility over there.
Going by economic theory, supply should follow demand. There are a few
countries with an insatiable demand for all kinds of professionals and
blue collar workers. Canada, Australia and New Zeeland are obviously
the popular choices. It should be emphasised that finding a job in these
countries is much easier than in Sri Lanka for a qualified professional.
If any information exists to the contrary, it is a myth.
It is commendable the efforts by the Institute of Chartered Accountants
of Sri Lanka in assisting Sri Lankan accountants to make the relocation
decision.
Most immigrants the above mentioned countries get from China and India
apart from traditional sources in Europe. Ironically India and China
have recorded the highest persistent economic growth rate in the past
decade and it expected to continue. Then why do they relocate? It is
for the better quality of life their countries of birth can never offer.
Therefore, there is a lot of room for Lankans to make their move.
If anyone is of the view that all Sri Lanka’s worries are caused
by the LTTE and once they are properly handled, it will regain the lost
paradise, he is mistaken. Most economic calamities (and natural ones
as well) are caused by extreme population density in Lanka and there
is no hope in the horizon. Due to this reason a migrant can afford to
mortgage a house in a developed country, and a local in Sri Lanka cannot!
Children’s’ education is another important matter to consider.
The education they would get at any of the developed countries is world-class
as against in Sri Lanka where education had long become a political
football.
Resettlement cost is though significant, is not unbearable and there
are many facilities to assist new immigrants in the above mentioned
countries. In most cases it is very much easier to get a job in these
countries than in Sri Lanka! A very large Lankan community already resides
amicably. To make matters better, crime rates and incidence of crime
as everyone knows is much less than in South Asia.
Although these facts are known to all, most are stuck at some stage
of the process of making the decision. The present financial buying
power of Lankan professionals has eroded to such an extent that it is
a must that they look for greener pastures; the enormous effort, time
and money they spent on educating themselves strongly deserve it. Besides,
it can take their career into the international level.
Instead, blaming the system in Lanka and the politicos will ensure that
one will continue to live below his/her potential. There is no justification
to go through further hardships after years of toil and achieving success
in higher education. If your higher education fetches more value in
country A than country B, you must make your move to A. As I have come
across many a time, reluctance to make the first step hinders many aspirants;
as the Sinhala saying goes, you should not delay, even the trip to hell!!
If on the other hand, one wishes to serve the motherland, they would
be in a better position, in terms of skills, expertise, knowledge and
finances to do so after a long stay abroad!
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