Halting brain-drain:

Professionals, scientists failed to provide suggestions

Priyanka Kurugala

Eventhough the government is ready to implement a proper policy plan to halt the brain-drain, local professionals and scientists have so far failed to provide suggestions towards this end, Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. She was addressing a press conference at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo recently.

The press conference was called to inform the Global Forum of Sri Lankan Scientists. It was organized by the National Science Foundation in collaboration with the UNESCO.

The symposium will be held from today until December 15 in Colombo. The minister said, other than harping on poor salaries these professionals and scientists could come out with a suitable plan that could increase their income levels. If this is done the government is prepared to pay heed to these suggestions and include them in the budget. The country through its free education system produces eminentm professionals and scientists, the minister noted lamenting that their expertise was invariably given to other countries other than their motherland.

The National Science Foundation Chairman Sirimali Fernando said, through the Global Forum of Sri Lankan Scientists, all Sri Lankan scientists who are living in other countries and who are living in Sri Lanka have the opportunity to exchange their knowledge.

One of the main objectives of this programme will be to create a good network which unites Sri Lankan scientists. She said after building this collaboration it is not important that they reside in the country.

Through this network they can work and provide their services to the motherland, she said.