DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT
V. Krishnamoorthy highlights the need to engage with overseas Sri Lankans to foster unity and reconciliation
Q: Can you provide an overview of the role and objectives of the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs (OOSLA)?
A: OOSLA serves as a central platform for overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs), and associations and groups, to connect with Sri Lanka’s government stakeholders under one roof.
Established by the cabinet following the president’s 2022 interim budget proposals, OOSLA facilitates communication between 23 government stakeholders and OSL communities, with a view to facilitating effective service and information delivery.
It also explores avenues to enhance socioeconomic contributions of OSLs for the country’s development.
Q: How does your office ensure timely and efficient services for nearly three million Sri Lankans living overseas?
A: OOSLA serves as the central point for coordinating with all relevant government agencies in delivering consular services and other essential services, as well as providing information to OSLs.
We work closely with these 23 stakeholders – and this number can grow – to act as a complementary and supportive entity; but OOSLA is not intended to replace any existing agencies.
Through close collaboration, the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs can identify challenges and needs for high-level intervention, be they issues faced by Sri Lankans overseas or to strengthen links between OSLs and the government.
Our commitment is to respond to inquiries we receive from overseas Sri Lankans or our diplomatic missions abroad, and ensure timely response and action.
Q: What strategies has the OOSLA employed to engage with Sri Lankan communities in foreign lands?
A: We’ve established focal points in all government agencies and our diplomatic missions overseas, to streamline communication and build strong relationships with stakeholders about OOSLA’s mission. This initiative helps us get work done expeditiously.
Additionally, we’ve facilitated discussions with relevant agencies to secure the collaboration of OSLs, and raised awareness of their needs and aspirations as they reconnect with Sri Lanka. We have also leveraged various social media platforms to reach a wider audience.
In addition, we have achieved significant progress over the past year or so in engaging with OSLs, helping them reconnect with Sri Lanka through investments, knowledge sharing and philanthropic work.
This progress will be solidified through dedicated legislation and policies, establishing a sustainable framework that fosters lasting trust and confidence among Sri Lankan diaspora communities. This work will soon be supported through a legislative bill and policy, to build an institution that has the trust and confidence of OSLs.
Q: Are any initiatives or measures being implemented to encourage Sri Lankans working or residing abroad to return home? If so, what are they?
A: We don’t actively promote the physical return of Sri Lankans residing or working overseas. For those who are interested however, we provide guidance on relevant processes with the support of stakeholders.
Instead, our focus is on proactively encouraging and persuading experts and professionals from among OSLs to contribute their expertise to the country through various projects – i.e. ‘brain gain.’
Over the past year, we’ve witnessed several success stories through this initiative.
Q: In what ways is your office working to encourage the Sri Lankan diaspora to invest in the nation’s development? And what has been the response so far?
A: We engage with potential investors from the OSL community through both physical and virtual meetings.
During these encounters, we carefully listen to their proposals or ideas. Subsequently, we facilitate comprehensive discussions by bringing all relevant stakeholders together.
Our goal is to delve deeper into the proposals, elucidate procedures and provide guidance to prospective investors. Currently, there are several projects in progress and the responses received so far have been encouraging.
Q: What are the main challenges faced by Sri Lankans living overseas – and how is your office addressing them?
A: Many overseas Sri Lankans have highlighted difficulties in obtaining passports or processing dual citizenship papers within a reasonable time and there is speculation about guarantees for their investments.
All these concerns have been duly noted by OOSLA, and we’ve taken them up to working and policy level discussions to find amicable solutions. Meanwhile, our diplomatic missions and posts are being briefed on progress.
Ensuring transparency and building confidence among OSLs on what we do is a key priority. And encouraging all stakeholders to work in tandem is essential.
Q: How do you collaborate with other government agencies and diplomatic missions, both in Sri Lanka and abroad, to overcome obstacles and shore up support for Sri Lankans living on foreign soil?
A: OOSLA makes all possible efforts to ensure collective and shared responsibility by all stakeholders in serving OSLs.
We’re creating awareness on the concerns of overseas Sri Lankans and want to build positive momentum at all levels of the government system to welcome OSLs’ engagement with Sri Lanka – indeed, we consider them to be an asset.
Q: As far as migration is concerned, we have seen some five waves since independence – the latest of which is ongoing. How can Sri Lanka retain the talent it has?
A: In an increasingly globalised world where everything is connected, we shouldn’t inhibit migration. What’s important is to find ways to regain the talent and expertise for the socioeconomic development of Sri Lanka.
Through knowledge sharing and education activities, OOSLA aims to reconnect OSL experts, professionals and skilled workers with Sri Lanka to leverage their knowledge capital.
V. Krishnamoorthy is the Director General of the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs.
ABOUT OOSLA
The Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs (OOSLA) serves as the central nexus for coordination with overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) by employing a dual strategy. Collaborating with 23 government stakeholders, it not only facilitates service delivery and the dissemination of information but also shapes policy recommendations addressing OSLs’ concerns.
The primary goal is to reconnect OSLs as investors, philanthropists and knowledge remitters, fostering a one stop engagement platform to earn their trust. This mutually beneficial approach transcends transactional relationships, and aims to strengthen understanding and dialogue among communities.
By actively engaging with overseas Sri Lankans, OOSLA says it envisions playing a pivotal role in building unity and reconciliation for a harmonious Sri Lanka.
Website oosla.lk
X @ooslalk
Facebook facebook.com/ooslasl
Email oosla@presidentsoffice.lk