Program to seek expertise of Lankans overseas

A program to enable Sri Lankans employed abroad in various sectors to contribute their knowledge and expertise towards Sri Lanka's economic development effort is being drawn up by Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

This follows overtures made by a large number of Sri Lankans employed abroad to contribute towards the national development effort following the country's march towards progress following the defeat of terrorism and return of peace, said the Prime Minister's office in a press release issued yesterday. Under this program Sri Lankan professionals skilled in the fields of Agriculture, Commerce, Medicine and Engineering now working abroad will be encouraged to contribute towards the national development effort. An initial discussion in this regard was held by the Prime Minister at his office with Suren Salgado, a Sri Lankan accountant employed in Australia as a Director of several agricultural projects.

The release said this program is in keeping with the President's concept of obtaining the expertise of Sri Lankan professionals abroad for this country's development effort. It was also decided to form an organization to co-ordinate this special program.