Reflection on leaving my country

Today many Sri Lankans believe that migration will bring prospect to their lives. But the question remains is that actually migration brings prospect to us. Today many Sri Lankan professionals in different industries prefer to migrate to developed countries. Of course Sri Lanka could be a paradise for living according to some measurements like typical climate and etc. But due to various other conditions professionals leave country. One big reason for this leaving is 30 years conflict situation. As war expenditure rose day by day governments had to limit financial resource on development and research sectors which are two key factors of the development of the nation. This situation causes disappoints of intellectuals and they migrated other countries. On the other hand our Tamil brothers and sisters left country due to conflict. This created negative impact of the image of Sri Lanka as well as our country lost her best professionals who could have contributed the progression of the nation. Today every world leading university, from Australia to Canada employs Sri Lankan professionals. Some others migrate wishing to pursue their academics to master or doctor levels. In Sri Lanka there are many questions in higher education system such as limitations of resources which are available to higher education, lack of maintaining standards of post graduate programs, distance between the course contents and practical scenarios due to older syllabus and sometimes post graduate course are limited to few areas. This all makes bad image of higher education system. Continuation of this situation causes decreasing the standards of our higher education system both locally and internationally. Therefore many fresh graduates leave Sri Lanka to secure better higher education options. Many developed countries prefer to offer citizenship to the professionals who come from third world countries. For an example Australia offers permanent citizenship for those who complete 2 years studies in Australia. In the Sri Lankan context more than 4000 go Australia for higher studies per year. Though ministry of Health offers scholarships to medical professionals to improve their knowledge and serve back Sri Lankans, only few returns after completing their education.

In addition to above reasons many other migrate seeking more benefits. Though many gained both their primary and secondary education thanked to free education (at the expense of tax payers), they forget their responsibilities and leave the country only seeking their personal well beings. Developed nations introduce various migration programs to encourage skilled migrations. For example both Canada and Australia is willing to have professionals with skills who can contribute the development of their nations.

Being gained education at the expense of tax payers, everyone has a big responsibility on their shoulders to contribute the development of nation. No one cannot get rid of it. Now the terrorism is eliminated and everyone can enjoy peaceful life in Sri Lanka. So professionals who left Sri Lanka due to conflict can return and contribute the development of nation. They can invest both money and knowledge for the progression of the country. Higher education system must be reformed according to current necessities and workforce required. Increasing the money spends on researches and developing new courses are possible. Attitudes of the people must be changed. Thus environment must be prepared for professionals who can contribute the development nation.

Finally I would like to draw your attention for few factors. After migrating people may earn more money and inherit more luxurious life, but can they enjoy mutual relationship which is in Sri Lanka. As Sri Lankans we always demand closer relationships with our friends, neighbors and relations. Is it possible in abroad? We care our parents. Is it possible in another country? There are many elder homes in developed nations. Teenagers leave their parents and stay separate. No closer relationships are possible. But the situation is completely different in Sri Lanka. Many people who migrate abroad feel loneliness. They may gain financial benefits but their minds are sick. On the other hand they may gain legal citizenship of those countries but how those communities welcome migrate people? Can they enjoy same benefits of other citizens? In most cases migrate people never inherit same benefits and they get lowerest attention of the communities. In some cases such as financial crisis when companies reduce employees they give first priority to people those who come from abroad. Finally only migrates are sick both mentally and physically. Those who migrate never warmly welcome as their own people. Finally what I can say is most of time migration creates tragedy. Though there are some minor problems anyone can get maximum benefits, recognition in his motherland. Best way of gratitude to motherland is staying with her in both hard times and cheerful events. Sounds of waterfalls, shining beaches, green hills and rich culture that we inherit by birth can heel our mind and body and that heeling would be hundred times better than few dollars or euros.