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South Asia immigration barriers hindering industrial hub potential

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5 years ago

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ECONOMYNEXT – Could South Asian administrations put aside political differences to pave the way for a common industrial hub?

As a panel of experts opined recently, it is not that the region is lacking in natural and human resources, both skilled and unskilled, in the case of the latter category.

However, a common platform in terms of policy as well as change of attitude amongst the peoples is critical if South Asia is to attract manufacturers to set up shop in the region.

It’s time,observed the panel, that intra-regional capacities areleveraged to benefit South Asia as a whole.

Wansapriya Gunaseela, the Managing Director of Buildtek Consultants (pvt) Ltd., Sri Lanka,pointed out that even though the region’s labour force is primarily made up of youth, only about half of these young people are actively engaged in industry, therefore, it is important to motivate the other half.

The panel discussion on ‘Unlocking the Region’s Potential: Labour Mobility in South Asia’, held on September 20, was moderated by Waqar Rizvi, a Canadian-Pakistani TV Host and socio-political analyst.

Joining Gunaseela on the panel were Ms. Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of the Fortuna Group, Nepal and Mr. Asim Jamal, CEO of SANOFI, Pakistan. The webinar is part of the ‘Restart Asian Economies’ series organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), South Asia.

Gunaseela said that if South Asia is to effectively compete with other markets, it must increase productivity.

But first, the region must look at the different strengths and resources of neighbouring countries and build a common framework.

COVID 19, he said has increased dependence on digitalisation and automation, and South Asia must seize that opportunity to redesign training modules and upgrade skills, so that a five hundred member workforce would be able to do the work that is now carried out by a thousand workers.

Such improvements he said would result in increased productivity and higher wages for workers.

COVID 19, says Bhawani Rana, has brought many migrant workers back to their home countries. They are mostly skilled workers who have already been exposed to a work culture overseas. South Asia must act now to attract these and other members of the labour force to find employment within the region.

As she points out, though wages may not be equivalent to what workers may earn in foreign countries, awareness must be raised on the advantage of working closer to their homes and on the shared cultural practices and safety aspects of staying within the region. However, she stresses, if labour migration within the region is to be attractive, governments must introduce better and easier cross-border travel.

Says Jamal, the SAARC region is home to more than 20percent of the world’s population; they are mostly young, with good skills.They are comfortable moving between countries.

For decades, he says, there have been Pakistanis working in Bangladesh’s garment sector. It is the same with Sri Lankans.

Moreover, he cited examples from his own organisation where staff was sent from Pakistan to Bangladesh and India on a temporary basis to resolve various situations.

However, staff face issues around ease of movement, and they are also required to report to a police station throughout their stay, which, unfortunately takes up a good part of the day.

While SAARC has expressed the need for a common agenda, it is now up to the administrations of each country to begin a dialogue at all levels, he points out. Joint initiatives, he says, should open up opportunities for research and development in the field of pharmaceuticals, for instances; to make the region a centre of excellence.

Jamal also stated that the pandemic provided the perfect opportunity for South Asia to share their knowledge on vaccine production. Such an endeavour would have produced cost effective vaccines for the people of the region.

Retaining the workers, particularly the women in the region is key, says Rana.

“We need to develop a strategy by which the women workers do not go to the Middle East or West Asia. We need to emphasize the advantages of living and working closer to home. Connectivity among South Asian countries has improved there are many roads, highways, railway lines even sea lines.”

These are the advantages that should be showcased.

While making it attractive for South Asians to remain within the region, Jamal points out that the right of individuals to determine whether they should seek employment outside the region, such as in the Gulf nations must be recognised.

Echoing his co-panelists, Gunaseela says administrations must identify individualneedsand strengths, and irrespective of political differences introduce policies that will promote South Asia as the industrial ‘one stop shop.’

Cricket, he says is the common denominator that binds South Asians. Why, he asks, is that not reflected in building a common industrial agenda, opening doors for companies to hire the best in the trade from across the region.

Such a strategy would improve quality and standards, and pose a challenge to European businesses; in fact the sharing of resources and ease of movement should be the same as in the European Union.Workers may however, consider employment overseas as opportunities to earn better wages in foreign currencies.

Says Rana, if the labour force is to remain within regional boarders they need to understand the value in that; in Nepal for instance the social security fund should be another attraction, apart from the safety factor.

Gunaseela adds, that especially the skilled and unskilled labour force see an opportunity of working long hours to remit money home, though they themselves would actually be left with only a small portion of their wages to survive on in a foreign land. That should be compared against the opportunity to live and work closer home.

To achieve all that policies on education too need a change, where vocational training or business studies are also given importance.

Most importantly, a change of attitude amongst South Asians is necessary; it is time to value products manufactured within the region, instead of believing that ‘foreign made’ goods are of higher standards.

As Gunaseela pointed out, garments and other goods sold in European and Western markets are produced in South Asia and meet those standards. Yet, South Asians continue to subscribe to the myth that goods produced in the region and available in the local market are sub-standard.

Private sector stakeholders obviously see the benefits of promoting regional cooperation in building a strong industrial hub in South Asia. They are ready to tap into the natural resources and the fairly substantial labour force to make this a reality.

However, for workers in South Asia to seek opportunities in neighboring countries would require the mutual lowering of barriers by the countries in the region to that type of migration. For millennia the peoples of these countries have traded their goods and interacted with each other.

Yet barriers, a throwback from Colonia rule, which mostly revolve around security concerns, competing political ideologies and historical reasons, continue to hamper strengthening of ties and building a common industrial agenda.

Other regional groups such as the European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations are countries which warred against each other for centuries. Although there is still the occasional spat, and statements critical of neighbouring countries are made, on the practical matters of trade and mutual profit and advancement they show solidarity.

It is time that South Asia followed those examples.


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National Institute of Health Sciences celebrates a century of revolutionizing Public Healthcare Training in Sri Lanka – PM

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10 hours ago

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2026/07/2

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The National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Kalutara, the premier national training institution for public health in Sri Lanka, on Wednesday (01) officially inaugurated its historic Centenary Congress, commemorating 100 years of dedicated service to the nation (1926–2026).

The grand celebration, held at the NIHS Auditorium in Kalutara, marked a century of pioneering achievements that have contributed significantly to strengthening Sri Lanka’s public health system.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister described the Institute’s centenary as a landmark moment in Sri Lanka’s public health journey, recognizing a century of service in developing the country’s public health workforce and advancing preventive healthcare.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s achievements in maternal and child health, immunization, disease prevention, and equitable healthcare, the Prime Minister noted that these successes have been built upon strong public health institutions and the dedication of healthcare professionals.

She emphasized that as the health sector faces emerging challenges, including an ageing population, non-communicable diseases, climate-related health risks, and technological transformation, greater focus must be placed on education, research, innovation, and the development of a skilled and adaptable health workforce.

Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building a resilient and people-centred health system, the Prime Minister stated that investments in modern health infrastructure, primary healthcare, digital technologies, and continuous professional development will remain national priorities.

The Prime Minister congratulated the National Institute of Health Sciences on reaching its centenary milestone and expressed confidence that the Congress would contribute valuable insights towards the future advancement of Sri Lanka’s public health sector.

The Centenary Congress programme included addresses by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media,the Director General of Health Services,and the Director of the National Institute of Health Sciences.

A keynote address on the theme “NIHS, Past, Present and Future” was delivered by Dr. Thushara Fernando. Highlighting the global significance of the Institute, the event also featured a special address by the WHO Regional Representative and a formal message delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the World Health Organization, acknowledging the Institute’s long-standing international collaboration and its contribution to sharing Sri Lanka’s globally recognized health achievements with the world.

The programme also featured the launch of the “NIHS – 100 Years” commemorative coffee table book and the unveiling of a commemorative postage stamp.

The event was attended by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Anil Jasinghe,Member of Parliament Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe,the Director of the National Institute of Health Sciences, representatives of the World Health Organization and partner organizations, academics,health professionals, alumni, and invited guests.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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IT, Electrical and Electronics sectors key to achieving 7–8% economic growth in coming years -President

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10 hours ago

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2026/07/2

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government aims to increase Sri Lanka’s economic growth from its current level of around 5 per cent to 7–8 per cent over the coming years, emphasising that the information technology, electrical and electronics sectors will play a pivotal role in achieving this target.

The President made these remarks while addressing a discussion with leading investors and industrialists from the information technology, electrical and electronics sectors, held on Wednesday (1 July) morning  at the Presidential Secretariat.

Highlighting that Sri Lanka’s future can only be secured by strengthening domestic industries, the President invited entrepreneurs to work in partnership with the Government to unlock the country’s true economic potential. The President also requested that they submit, at the earliest opportunity, proposals for developing their respective sectors together with a report outlining the key challenges currently facing the industries.

The President further stated that the Government intends to allocate Rs. 2 trillion for capital expenditure next year to accelerate economic growth. He noted that the Government expects the export sector to make the maximum possible contribution towards meeting the country’s growing demand for foreign exchange resulting from this investment.

The discussion focused extensively on the significant contribution that the information technology, electrical and electronics sectors could make towards increasing Sri Lanka’s export earnings and foreign currency inflows.

It was highlighted that the information technology sector, currently Sri Lanka’s third-largest export revenue earner, has the potential to generate US$5 billion in annual export earnings. Likewise, the electrical and electronics sector, which currently generates approximately US$500 million in export revenue, has the potential to increase this figure to US$2 billion annually.

Participants also discussed Sri Lanka’s potential to establish itself as a global brand in the information technology, electrical and electronics sectors. Attention was drawn to the country’s highly skilled workforce in both industries and the need to further improve facilities and infrastructure to support their continued growth.

Representatives of the business community briefed the President on a number of challenges affecting the sectors, including the complexities involved in importing electronic components, obstacles faced by companies operating in the Colombo Port City when conducting transactions through the banking system and difficulties encountered in promoting locally manufactured products within the domestic market. The discussion also focused on removing these barriers and introducing the necessary legislative and regulatory reforms.

Attention was also paid to establishing a special unit representing relevant parties to directly receive the issues and suggestions of industrialists and provide prompt solutions to them.

Business representatives were also briefed on a range of Government initiatives already planned to expand support and infrastructure for these sectors.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne outlined plans to establish a Virtual Special Economic Zone and a data centre, introduce a Green Channel mechanism to remove Customs-related obstacles to the import of electronic equipment required for research and development (R&D) and address banking and credit card limitations affecting overseas payments for essential services such as cloud computing and Software as a Service (SaaS). He also noted that the Government is considering alternative incentive schemes to help retain skilled professionals and reduce the migration of talent overseas.

Among those present were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr..Harshana Suriyapperuma, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara; Chairman of the Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe; Shehani Seneviratne and other representatives of the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM); Chairman of the Sri Lanka Electronic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (SLEMEA) Gamini Ranasinghe; former Chairman Dr Ajith Pasqual; Managing Director of VARIOSYSTEMS (Pvt) Ltd Thevan Satheeswaran; Managing Director of GPV Lanka Chandana Dissanayake; together with a large number of leading entrepreneurs and representatives from the information technology, electrical and electronics industries.

[PMD]

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Dengue toll mounts; cases pass 55,000

Published

24 hours ago

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2026/07/2

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Dr. Kapila Kannangara

More than 1000 cases detected in 24 hrs

Sri Lanka’s dengue caseload has surpassed 55,000 this year after more than 1,000 new infections were reported in the 24 hours ending at 6 am yesterday, accordingt to health authorities..The National Dengue Control Unit has said a total of 55,406 cases have been recorded so far in 2026, while the death toll has risen to 32.

Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, said 1,024 new cases were confirmed during the latest 24-hour reporting period, reflecting a continuing increase in infections across the country.

In response to the escalating outbreak, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media has established a Dengue Operations Centre to strengthen the reporting of dengue-related information and complaints.

The Ministry has also launched a dedicated public hotline (0117 966366) to provide information on dengue prevention and control, receive complaints and facilitate the reporting of mosquito breeding sites and other dengue-related concerns.

Health authorities have urged the public to support dengue control efforts by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and promptly reporting potential risk areas, stressing that community participation remains vital in curbing the spread of the disease.

Sri Lanka has experienced repeated dengue outbreaks, with the most severe epidemics recorded in 2017 and 2019. The 2017 outbreak was the worst in the country’s history at that time, with over 186,000 reported cases and more than 400 deaths. A second major surge in 2019 recorded over 105,000 cases. These outbreaks placed significant strain on hospitals, particularly in the Western Province, including Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts, which consistently report the highest case numbers due to dense population and urbanisation.

Transmission is influenced by seasonal rainfall patterns, temperature, and urban environmental conditions such as improper waste disposal and construction sites that collect water. All four dengue virus serotypes circulate in Sri Lanka, which increases the risk of repeated infections and severe disease manifestations.

In recent years, periodic resurgences have continued, with health authorities warning that case numbers can rise rapidly when environmental conditions favour mosquito breeding. The National Dengue Control Unit has therefore maintained continuous surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and mosquito control programmes to reduce transmission.

Despite these efforts, dengue remains a persistent public health concern, requiring coordinated action between health services, local authorities, and the public to reduce breeding sites and prevent outbreaks.

by Chaminda Silva ✍️

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