After sixty years of independence, still we are branded as one of the developing countries. Many people used to attribute this to prolonged terrorism issue in the country which had been the easy pick for people as well as politicians. The terrorism is fast becoming part of the history and now we are in the verge of winning the fight against terrorism. This is good time to analyze other factors that went wrong and start rectifying those so that we can start building our country. It is economic freedom that makes freedom from imperialism or terrorism make meaningful.
The brain-drain has been one of the key factors that have badly affected developing the economy.
Effect of open economy
It is evident that brain-drain was suddenly increased in early 1980’s with the introduction of so called open-economy. It is generally expected that open economy should create more opportunities to the people and thereby reducing the brain-drain. It is unfortunately JR’s model of open economy was meant for low tech and high labor intensive sectors like garment industry which are mean for exploitation and there were no place for intellectuals in that system.
When the post 77 governments opted for foreign debts, a necessary condition for most of the developing projects was to utilize expertise of the countries which provide the support and our intellectuals had passive role to play resulting some of our key intellectuals opted to leave the country.
Effect of cultural erosion
Unlike most of the other courtiers, it is not only economy, but other key areas like culture and social aspects were suddenly opened like flood gates and the result was a generation who has lost their roots and cultural values and selfish society which only striving for money and other materialistic gains. They were no longer bound to the country and it was no longer a difficult decision to part from their parents, relatives and friends for higher salaries and benefits in foreign countries.
Failed education system
Few decades back we had an education system that produces good citizens who know and love their history, culture and more importantly love their country. However, under the new system, the important aspects like history and culture were pruned and it was meant to produce mere individuals with different skills to serve the multi national companies and foreign investors. These people who passed out from universities left the country for better opportunities in the field that they were trained. If they were first disciplined to be good citizens and then specialized in a field, they would have never left the country for selfish reasons. There are large number of people who had left the country immediately after passing out from the universities, after getting all the benefits of free education and sometimes consuming scholarships given to the country, and never return. If they were educated under disciplined Sri Lankan values, they would have been rather shameful of themselves to take that kind of selfish decision.
The colonial mentality
After more than four hundred years under colonial rulers, in 1948 the local privileged comprador sector of the society obtained independence by means of posting petitions and bargaining with their foreign masters. Since we never had a full fledged independence struggle (unlike in countries like India), the bulk of the people remained with the pre colonial backward mentality. Since we were once defeated, they still believe that the white (the British, Dutch etc..) are superior and migrating to their countries like Britain, Canada, Australia is considered as a privilege. In this backdrop, they forget the fact that they live as second class citizens in those countries despite some material benefits.
The tragedy of those who live in exile
Unlike Africans, Chinese or other nations, we Sri lankans are unique that we have great heritage, cultural values and strong bond within the family. It is not limited to parents and child, but span in to grand parents and other relatives, teachers and friends. Our strong Sinhala Buddhist predominant Sri Lankan culture is too strong to be easily forgotten. Regardless of the amount of money they earn, their internal soul always breaks down. They no longer belong to their original culture or the one in the west. The unfortunate result is a culturally lost individuals and families. That is why most of those after hard laboring the foreign masters come back to Sri Lanka to spend their very last stages of the life.
Are you ready?
You may have lived in exile leaving behind the warmth, culture and values of Sri Lankans for any of the reasons. It is easy to find one or other reason to justify or else point finger at politicians and continue your way of life. Still the great courageous people of the country who never let down the country has passed the difficult time and looking forward to reap the harvest of continues struggle against post colonial agents, separatist terrorism and other vicious forces.
Now we are winning the fight against terrorism and all Sri Lankans believe that the war will be ended in winning note in few months time. If you are among those who migrated in fear of terrorism, this is good time to plan to return in few months time. It is not only security situation, but the people’s victory in 2006 has set up ground for national economy where Sri Lankan’s are given prominence in investing, the cultural values are restored. The projects like Hambanthota harbor, Weeravila airport, Upper Kotmale power plant, Moragahakanda dam, etc. are built with engineering expertise of local professionals. There is an agricultural revolution taking place in the country and you may become a valued partner sharing your expertise.
If you left the country for better wages, this is the time to prove yourself that you are successful in your objective by investing in mother country. If you left the country seeking a better job, the best way to prove yourself on your success is to return to the motherland and open up a new venture creating job opportunities to fellow Sri Lankan youth so that they will newer required to left behind their beloved parents and migrate. At the end of the day this is your and my country and if not us who else is going to develop this emerald island?
The brain-drain has been one of the key factors that have badly affected developing the economy.
Effect of open economy
It is evident that brain-drain was suddenly increased in early 1980’s with the introduction of so called open-economy. It is generally expected that open economy should create more opportunities to the people and thereby reducing the brain-drain. It is unfortunately JR’s model of open economy was meant for low tech and high labor intensive sectors like garment industry which are mean for exploitation and there were no place for intellectuals in that system.
When the post 77 governments opted for foreign debts, a necessary condition for most of the developing projects was to utilize expertise of the countries which provide the support and our intellectuals had passive role to play resulting some of our key intellectuals opted to leave the country.
Effect of cultural erosion
Unlike most of the other courtiers, it is not only economy, but other key areas like culture and social aspects were suddenly opened like flood gates and the result was a generation who has lost their roots and cultural values and selfish society which only striving for money and other materialistic gains. They were no longer bound to the country and it was no longer a difficult decision to part from their parents, relatives and friends for higher salaries and benefits in foreign countries.
Failed education system
Few decades back we had an education system that produces good citizens who know and love their history, culture and more importantly love their country. However, under the new system, the important aspects like history and culture were pruned and it was meant to produce mere individuals with different skills to serve the multi national companies and foreign investors. These people who passed out from universities left the country for better opportunities in the field that they were trained. If they were first disciplined to be good citizens and then specialized in a field, they would have never left the country for selfish reasons. There are large number of people who had left the country immediately after passing out from the universities, after getting all the benefits of free education and sometimes consuming scholarships given to the country, and never return. If they were educated under disciplined Sri Lankan values, they would have been rather shameful of themselves to take that kind of selfish decision.
The colonial mentality
After more than four hundred years under colonial rulers, in 1948 the local privileged comprador sector of the society obtained independence by means of posting petitions and bargaining with their foreign masters. Since we never had a full fledged independence struggle (unlike in countries like India), the bulk of the people remained with the pre colonial backward mentality. Since we were once defeated, they still believe that the white (the British, Dutch etc..) are superior and migrating to their countries like Britain, Canada, Australia is considered as a privilege. In this backdrop, they forget the fact that they live as second class citizens in those countries despite some material benefits.
The tragedy of those who live in exile
Unlike Africans, Chinese or other nations, we Sri lankans are unique that we have great heritage, cultural values and strong bond within the family. It is not limited to parents and child, but span in to grand parents and other relatives, teachers and friends. Our strong Sinhala Buddhist predominant Sri Lankan culture is too strong to be easily forgotten. Regardless of the amount of money they earn, their internal soul always breaks down. They no longer belong to their original culture or the one in the west. The unfortunate result is a culturally lost individuals and families. That is why most of those after hard laboring the foreign masters come back to Sri Lanka to spend their very last stages of the life.
Are you ready?
You may have lived in exile leaving behind the warmth, culture and values of Sri Lankans for any of the reasons. It is easy to find one or other reason to justify or else point finger at politicians and continue your way of life. Still the great courageous people of the country who never let down the country has passed the difficult time and looking forward to reap the harvest of continues struggle against post colonial agents, separatist terrorism and other vicious forces.
Now we are winning the fight against terrorism and all Sri Lankans believe that the war will be ended in winning note in few months time. If you are among those who migrated in fear of terrorism, this is good time to plan to return in few months time. It is not only security situation, but the people’s victory in 2006 has set up ground for national economy where Sri Lankan’s are given prominence in investing, the cultural values are restored. The projects like Hambanthota harbor, Weeravila airport, Upper Kotmale power plant, Moragahakanda dam, etc. are built with engineering expertise of local professionals. There is an agricultural revolution taking place in the country and you may become a valued partner sharing your expertise.
If you left the country for better wages, this is the time to prove yourself that you are successful in your objective by investing in mother country. If you left the country seeking a better job, the best way to prove yourself on your success is to return to the motherland and open up a new venture creating job opportunities to fellow Sri Lankan youth so that they will newer required to left behind their beloved parents and migrate. At the end of the day this is your and my country and if not us who else is going to develop this emerald island?
