Colombo – IOM and the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) have launched the first edition of: "International Migration Outlook – Sri Lanka 2008."

The report, which is based on a study conducted by IPS and commissioned by IOM, outlines a comprehensive analysis of the trends, patterns and changes in migration from Sri Lanka in recent years. The report also addresses a long-standing need to streamline Sri Lanka's international migration data for better planning and decision-making in migration management activities in the country.  

During the past decade, the numbers of migrants from Sri Lanka – be it for economic, educational, social or political reasons - have increased. So has the importance of challenges brought about by international migration including social change, cultural adaptation, threats to national security and identity and resource allocation.

"Migration must be managed to maximize its benefits and it is the formulation of effective migration management policies that will help determine this," says Mohammed Abdiker, IOM Sri Lanka's Chief of Mission. "This being the arena, we hope the statistical information and the analyses of key migration issues in this report will be useful," he adds.

"Accurate data on migration is vital to formulate policies related to migration and also for mainstreaming migration into overall national policies. The information and analysis in this report will certainly assist to sharpen the National Labour Migration Policy of Sri Lanka initiated in late 2008," says Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of the IPS.

The report begins with the institutional framework for migration in Sri Lanka and describes the different types of migration, including labour, student, irregular and tourism, along with key indicators, facts and figures. The final chapter considers a "way forward" for addressing migration management in Sri Lanka.

The IPS conducted study is part of a two-year capacity building programme implemented by IOM and funded by the European Commission (EC) and Australia (DIAC) aimed at establishing a coordinated migration data collection system in Sri Lanka.

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For more information please contact: Shantha Kulasekara, Tel. +94.1.532.5300 (Ext:356), E-mail: skulasekara@iom.int; Stacey Winston, Tel. +94.1.532.5300 (Ext:340), E-mail: swinston@iom.int; or Passanna Gunasekera, Tel. +94.1. 532.5300 (Ext 341), E-mail: pgunasekera@iom.int