'Sri Lankan expats play vital role'

The exposure and experience migrant workers acquire during their stay abroad have a positive impact on a country's development process.

"Sri Lankan expatriates have a vital role to play. It includes remitting foreign exchange to the country to expand the foreign reserves base. It is also important to return to Sri Lanka at the end of their contract period for the country's prosperity", a Sri Lankan lawyer residing in Australia said.

Susantha Katugampala with the Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans

Australia has a migration policy designed to attract overseas immigrants. A large component of Australian migration consists of skill migration, business migration and family re-union.

With the general elections coming up in the third week of August, the Government will decide on the migration policy.

However, political parties have accepted migration and continue to look forward to skill migration that benefit Australia, Accredited Immigration Law Specialist Don Susantha Katugampala told Daily News Business.

The Australian skill migration policy is designed to meet the country's economic demands. Skill migration is important to economic sustainability and growth. Australia is a $ one trillion large economy, he said.

From Sri Lanka's point of view there are opportunities for migration in many fields. High quality applicants from professional fields such as engineers, accountants, IT specialists, science and research professionals and health professionals are in great demand in Australia, he said.

Australia is a very popular destination for migration. However, Sri Lankan expatriates need to gain exposure and return to the country to pass on the benefits.

Sri Lanka is reputed for having a skilled workforce where many countries prefer to recruit from. SJ