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A feature of our 78 years of independence was the several waves of migration. These waves have weakened not only the development capacity of the country but also the free health facilities and social welfare. Free health care and free education have been responsible for the country’s high social development indicators.

Early migration

Early waves of emigration were mainly of minority communities sensing disadvantages of the country’s language policy. Burghers left owing to the disadvantages they feared as a result of the Sinhala-only policy. They sought greener pastures in developed countries like Australia and Canada.

Communal riots

The communal riots of 1958 and 1977 and most notably the horrendous riots of 1983 and the subsequent civil war of nearly three decades resulted in a large exodus of Tamils. This included large numbers of professionals, such as doctors, engineers and technicians.

Current migration

The current migration has several motivations. To earn a high income in our currency, most of them are migrating for short-term employment not only to West Asian countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, but also to South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Italy.

The current worker migration of about 300,000 a year is weakening the country’s development capacity, social infrastructure and social welfare.

Professionals

A study conducted by Peradeniya University academics found that students in science, medicine and engineering in all our universities want to go abroad to work. This will weaken our health facilities, engineering capacity, scientific education and higher education, development capacity and welfare of our ageing society. This is commonly known as “Brain Drain”. Our current migration trends pose a severe threat to the nation’s development capacity.

Two dimensions

There is another dimension to this migration story. The migrant workers belong to two categories: Those migrating for a few years to earn money and return and those migrating for good. The latter category consists mainly of professionals such as doctors, engineers, scientists and academics. These migrants are considered the “brain drain” of the country.

Other side

The other side of our worker exodus is that our economy is highly dependent on the remittances sent by Sri Lankans working abroad. Remittances are the biggest source of the country’s foreign earnings. In 2025 remittances amounted to US$ 8 billion—higher than the earnings from exports and tourism.

Last year

Higher remittances the country received last year included money sent to assist families affected by the cyclone disaster as well as contributions to assist the country’s relief programme.

While these remittances make an invaluable contribution to the country’s economy, the exodus of workers weakens the development capacity of the country, health and medical facilities, education, the hospitality industry and care of the elderly.

It is not only the migration of highly skilled professions that weakens the economy; the migration of skilled and semi-skilled workers also has an adverse impact on the country’s economy. They include masons, carpenters, hoteliers, factory workers, mechanics, caregivers and craftsmen.

The exodus of highly skilled professionals, including doctors, engineers, and scientists, has been recognised for a long time. Some of them have, however, returned after a period or on their retirement in other countries and been of benefit to the country.

Another dimension

There is another dimension to this story of worker migration. Apart from remittances alleviating the poverty of many homes, they have been used by many to begin a small enterprise. Some villagers have been able to start a business or enterprise with the money sent by a family member. Others have, on their return, been able to use the money they saved to start an enterprise, often in the same field they worked in. This transfer of technology is a significant contribution to the country’s economic growth.

Capital

In the cities, some enterprises have been started by workers who have brought back their savings to the country. Some have been able to invest their savings in a car they drive as a taxi or for a company.

Summary and conclusion

The country has had several waves of outmigration since independence 78 years ago. Early waves of emigration were of minority communities. This included a large number of professionals, such as doctors, engineers and technicians.

The motivation behind the recent large-scale migration was to improve their living conditions. However, the exodus has certainly weakened the country’s development capacity. On the other hand, migration has made a significant contribution to the foreign reserves, reduced poverty and enabled small and medium enterprises and services.