Not a crime to be member of diaspora – Sagala

Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and presidential Chief of Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka says that representing the diaspora does not make a person an extremist or anti-Sri Lankan.

Addressing International Migrant Day at the President’s Office on Monday (18), Ratnayaka said that there was a negative perception associated with the term “diaspora” in Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division said.

Ratnayake said that being part of the diaspora did not make someone an extremist or anti-Sri Lankan, stating that any Sri Lankan living in another country, regardless of ethnicity or religion, is part of the Lankan diaspora.

Ratnayaka said that historical events in Sri Lanka have created distance between the country and its people, especially those living abroad. He highlighted the challenges faced by those in the diaspora who want to contribute to the country’s development but encounter bureaucratic obstacles.

He emphasized the importance of engaging the diaspora and creating an environment that encourages their return and investment, the PMD said.

Ratnayaka inaugurated the official website, https://oosla.lk/ for the Office of Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs at the event of which the keynote address was delivered by Professor Lakshman Samaranayake.