Over 360 expatriate Sri Lankans from 45 countries are expected to participate in the crucial two day "Sri Lankan Expatriates Forum" meeting...!!!

Sri Lankan expatriates ready to participate in nation building

by Franklin R.Satyapalan

In response to President Mahinda Rajapaksa"s call to Sri Lankan expatriates to participate in the development process of nation building in the motherland, over 360 expatriate Sri Lankans from 45 or more countries are expected to participate in the crucial two day "Sri Lankan Expatriates Forum" meeting at the Presidential Secretariat today and tomorrow, Presidential Secretariat sources said yesterday

Bridging the gap between Tamil community and the other ethnic groups is one of the key objectives of this endeavour. This expatriate forum will be an ongoing process aimed at forging a productive partnership between the expatriate community and the people of Sri Lanka ,the sources said yesterday.

The participants would comprise academics, intellectuals, professionals. It includes businessmen, bankers, politicians ,representatives of expatriate Sri Lankan Associations and members of the Tamil Diaspora.

The vision is to build a united Lankan expatriate community dedicated to the development process. The Forum will work to create an encouraging environment that enables Sri Lankan expatriate community to be a strong and cohesive community with a constructive relationship with their motherland.

Director General of Public Communication, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ranjith Uyangoda said yesterday that the President and several ministers including Rohitha Bogollagama, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa,Prof G.L. Pieris, were scheduled to address them.

The National Tourism Authority, Board of investment, Export Development Board, Investment Promotion and External Trade were entrusted to present details explaining the opportunities available for investment in Sri Lanka.

Former Director of the Presidential Media unit Chandrapala Liyanage said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had clearly indicated in his speech during the 61th Independence Anniversary this year, the necessity for developing a meaningful dialogue with all shades of Sri Lankan expatriates to encourage their active participation in the nation building.


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