Expats respond to President's call

President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently called on the country's expatriate community with expertise in various fields to extend their service towards the country's development. Following are a few letters the Daily News has received from Lankan expatriates.

We need assistance to resettle

It is good to know that Sri Lanka wants the help of its expatriates. I would love to return to my country and work there. But where do I find information about what is needed and what incentives are there for us?

As Sri Lanka does not allow dual citizenship, I am considered as an Australian now. As I don't have any family in Sri Lanka what assistance could I get for settling back in Sri Lanka?

N. Dharmawardhana

Food for thought

This refers to your editorial asking all expatriate Sri Lankans to rally round the Government and country. I have been one who has been asking several people in the Government since 1998 to make use of the Ilmenite from the State Mineral Sands Corporation to produce Titanium Dioxide in Sri Lanka instead of selling the Ilmenite in gunny bags for a pittance.

The selling price of a tonne of Ilmenite is around US $200 whereas refined titanium dioxide out of the same quantity will sell for over US $1000. The money invested - approximately US $ 8,000,000 can be recovered in 18 months. Food for thought???

Mohamed Hameed

Local expertise on mega projects

I fully agree with President Rajapaksa. As a Chartered Accountant who worked in projects carried out by foreign companies, I have seen the amount of money we have paid to so called foreign experts.

As an expatriate now living in Australia, I realise the vast amount of local resources we have in Sri Lanka. I applaud the President's initiative to tap local resources as well as inviting Sri Lankan expatriate community to support his initiative.

Well done Mr. President!

Lasantha Wijesinghe

Please pay heed

When we come to Sri Lanka on a holiday, we are allowed only four weeks to stay and, thereafter, we have to extend our visa. Otherwise on our way back, we face enough problems at the airport. Is this the way Sri Lankan Government treats Sri Lankans living abroad.

We spend a few lakhs of rupees during our holidays with the family. the Government must allow expatriates to stay as long as they want. After all, we are Sri Lankans. It is high time for the President to think of this matter before requesting us to help Sri Lanka.

Siri de Alwis