Dr Sarath Obeysekera 

In 1970, I travelled to Oslo, Norway, to work in the offshore oil and gas industry. At that time, there were very few Sri Lankans in Norway. Besides myself and one other Sri Lankan engineer, only a handful of Sri Lankans worked in technical assistant or clerical positions. Occasionally, one would come across a few Pakistani tram drivers, but Norway remained a relatively homogeneous society.

A decade later, the picture had changed dramatically. Oslo became home to many refugees from different parts of the world, including Tamils who had fled Sri Lanka during the ethnic conflict. Since then, immigration has continued, and today Oslo has become a multicultural city with people from every continent.

Like many large international cities, Oslo and Stockholm now face challenges associated with rapid urbanisation, including concerns about organised crime and gang violence. These developments have been widely reported and have become matters of public debate. At the same time, it is important to recognise that the overwhelming majority of immigrants are law-abiding citizens who contribute positively to their adopted countries.
As I listened recently to a Sri Lankan radio station, I heard repeated advertisements inviting Sri Lankans to work in Romania, South Korea, and other countries as restaurant workers, bartenders, masons, kitchen helpers, caregivers, and labourers. The salaries offered appear attractive when converted into Sri Lankan rupees, and understandably many young people see overseas employment as a path to a better future.
Yet it is also a sad reflection on our economy. Many of these young men and women are educated, capable, and hardworking. They leave not because they wish to abandon their country, but because they cannot find adequately paid employment at home.
Sri Lanka continues to lose valuable human capital. Skilled construction workers, welders, electricians, mechanics, hospitality staff, and technicians are among those leaving in large numbers. Replacing their experience is becoming increasingly difficult.
The long-term solution is not merely to encourage overseas employment but to create attractive employment opportunities within Sri Lanka. This requires industrial expansion, export-oriented manufacturing, marine and offshore engineering, shipbuilding, logistics, renewable energy projects, and vocational training that leads directly to well-paid jobs.
If a skilled mason, welder, carpenter, kitchen assistant, or hospitality worker could earn the equivalent of around US$400 per month—or more—through productive industries operating in Sri Lanka, many would choose to remain close to their families rather than migrate.
Higher wages, however, must be supported by higher productivity. This demands investment in technology, vocational education, modern management practices, and industries capable of competing internationally. Employers must also recognise that fairly compensated workers are generally more motivated, productive, and loyal.
Equally important is the country’s image. Foreign investors seek political stability, law and order, efficient institutions, and confidence that their investments will be protected. Incidents such as organised crime, drug-related violence, prison unrest, or prolonged political instability can discourage investment, even though they may not reflect the daily lives of most Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka possesses enormous potential. Our strategic location, educated workforce, engineering capability, and maritime advantages position us well to become a regional industrial and logistics hub. What is needed is a coherent national strategy that prioritises productive investment over short-term economic measures.
The true measure of a successful economy is not how many citizens leave to seek work abroad, but how many choose to stay because they can build rewarding careers at home.
If we create industries that generate skilled employment, pay competitive wages, and reward productivity, Sri Lanka’s greatest asset—its people—will remain here to build the nation’s future instead of contributing their talents elsewhere.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera