Absorbing foreign workers
This makes reference to the above article by Dr. Sirimal Abeyratne in his column “Down-To-Earth Economics” appearing in last week’s Business Times.
Firstly I must stress, the article by Dr. Abeyratne was indeed very educative, innovative in terms of facts, inspiring to the core and very appropriate.
As a citizen of this country, I need to congratulate Dr. Abeyratne for a meticulously segmented and judiciously presented piece of write-up made timely although the ‘Five Star Patriotism ‘ available in Sri Lanka wouldn’t probably agree.
Sri Lanka with its much talked about over 2500 years old heritage has still not been able to come out of its primitive thinking owing to our lackadaisical, self-centered and desire to be the best out of the bad lot attitude.
This in fact has been in our genes from the days of the ancient Kings who betrayed one another ignoring whether it was their father, mother, brother or uncle. Of course, it was for a valid reason of coming in and staying in power.
Take the political parties and politics of today in our country: Leaders never groom the second layer and instead, they attempt to make themselves indispensable.
They always want to supersede the other not by way of healthy competition but by the “Might Is Right” theory.
In the analytical insights of Dr. Abeyratne, he has cleverly made the point clear by saying, “If you want to grow, you should be encircled by people who can challenge you; If you are the ‘Smart’ one in your own circle, it would be difficult for you to grow.”
I wonder how many of our intellects, entrepreneurs, philosophers will understand how simply Dr. Abeyratne has tried to put this message across?
We need not be in a shell or for that matter in a deep well. The world by and large is evolving and is a “One World”. We should not fear or envy another man’s competencies. Learn from him and do away with the fear psychosis. Countries with a 40-200 year-old history have overtaken our 2500 years of heritage.
Wake-Up Sri Lankans. Be readily amenable to change and challenge the core.
Ravi Dahanayake,
Battaramulla