A major factor for Brain Drain in Sri Lanka-by Dr Ruvaiz Haniffa

If a first world citizen comes into Sri Lanka for a professional assignment, that individual is paid far in excess of a Sri Lankan with the same level of professional qualification, experience and competence

The political and bureaucratic system along with society at large and the professionals themselves have a third world mentality and offer and accept third world remuneration/salaries within Sri Lanka.
At the same time they demand and expect first world results in public but settle for Third World results or less in reality.

This perpetuates a vicious cycle of perceiving that we deliver better results at lower costs – which is an illusion we as Sri Lankans contribute to and defend, sustain and perpetuate to the best of our third world abilities.

Furthermore, we ensure to pass on such a mentality to the next generation for them to follow.
If we want to develop, we must in the very least begin to think as a first world nation at individual and national levels.

If a first world citizen comes into Sri Lanka for a professional assignment, that individual is paid far in excess of a Sri Lankan with the same level of professional qualification, experience and competence. (Using a first world designed formula which we accept without question or justification)
We as a nation are discriminating our own within our own country – What a shame!!!!
No wonder there is brain drain which one wonders is a deliberate attempt of a dysfunctional system to ensure such a dysfunctional system continues by ensuring the best professionals in Sri Lanka are forced to leave the country.

One has to wonder as to who benefits from a dysfunctional Sri Lanka (within our sovereign borders and outside) in the short medium and long-term. Taking this thought one more step forward, one also is forced to wonder as to why and what drives individuals (local and foreign) and organizations (government, non-governmental, private, local and foreign) to perpetuate this dysfunctional system within and beyond their natural life spans.

Finally, one must also attempt to answer the question as to why after 75 years of independence and advice/ assistance, (technical and non technical) financial grants, loans and other means of solicited and non solicited financial economic trade investment, scientific, agricultural, educational, technological etc.,help externally and, internally, we as individuals and as a nation are where we are today?

To begin to develop, we must at least get out of thinking with a third world mentality and start paying proper wages for proper work to properly trained professionals no matter where they qualified or trained.
In summary, we need to create an environment (economic, administrative judicial and socio-political) which will be conducive to retain the best of our citizens and allow them to do their professional best without fear or favour for the sole benefit of mother Lanka from North to South and East to West.

In order to achieve this utopian state, there is one fundamental question which has eluded generations before us to understand – WHO IS A SRI LANKAN?
We and our future generations will continue to discuss and rediscuss the same issues until and otherwise, we fully understand and appreciate who we are as Sri Lankans.
The writer Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa is a Specialist Family Physician and attached to the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colombo. Dr. Haniffa was the 125th President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the apex medical professional association of Sri Lanka.