A major factor for brain drain in Sri Lanka

The political and bureaucratic system along with society at large and the professionals themselves have a third world mentality and offer and accept third word remuneration/salaries within Sri Lanka.

At the same time they demand and expect first world results in public but settle for third world results or less in reality.

This perpetuates a vicious cycle of perceiving that we deliver better results at lower costs- Which is an illusion we as Sri Lankans contribute too and defend sustain and perpetuate to the best of our third world abilities.

Furthermore we ensure to pass on such a mentality to the next generation for them to follow.

If we want to develop we must in the very least begin to think as a first world nation at individual and national levels.

If a first world citizen comes in to Sri Lanka for a professional assignment, that individual is paid far in excess of a Sri Lankan with the same level of professional qualification experience and competence (using a first world designed formula which we accept without question or justification).

We as a nation are discriminating our own within our own country – what a shame.

No wonder there is brain drain which one wonders is a deliberate attempt of a dysfunctional system to ensure such a dysfunctional system continue by ensuring the best professionals in Sri Lankans are forced to leave the country.

To begin to develop we must at least get out of thinking in a third world mentality and start paying proper wages for proper work to properly trained professionals no matter where they qualified or trained.

Dr Ruvaiz Haniffa