South Asian Diaspora Convention launch in Singapore

Disna MUDALIGE

The South Asian Diaspora Convention (SADC) organized by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) will be held from July 21-22 in Singapore under the theme 'Linking the South Asian Diaspora'.

Institute of Policy Studies executive director Dr Saman Kelegama will address this event representing Sri Lanka. The event will mainly focus on South Asia's future economic prospects, the role of the diaspora in expanding the region's business links within Asia and how Singapore can be a springboard in bonding South, South East and East Asia.

It will serve as a platform to exchange views between different communities while encouraging stronger interactions. It will also facilitate networking opportunities to foster greater engagement among businessmen. The South Asian Diaspora is estimated to be about 30 million people globally.

The convention is to be inaugurated by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The highlights of the programme include a dialogue session with former Malaysian Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He is also the architect of modern Singapore. The convention is expected to bring together speakers, entrepreneurs and members of the South Asian diaspora. ISAS chairman and Ambassador Gopinath Pillai emphasizing the importance of the convention, noted that Singapore has experienced various waves of immigration from Sri Lanka over the last 150 years and has maintained close ties between the countries.

He said that the institution is engaged in a large project to prepare an Encyclopaedia of the Sri Lankan diaspora with scholars across the globe. He observed that the ISAS has been studying developments in Sri Lanka throughout the recent past.

Former US deputy secretary of State Richard Armitage and former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung Soo will also address the occasion. The convention will be held at Resorts World Sentosa. Singapore President S B Nathan and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will be special guests at the gala dinner on the first day of the convention.