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Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 5.35 GMT |
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Intellectuals should contribute to achieve foreign policy objectives - G. L. Peiris |
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External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said the inclusion of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) into the responsibilities of the Ministry of External Affairs has opened a vista of opportunities to utilize the reservoir of skills available in Sri Lanka.
The Minister also stated that the remittance by expatriate workers to the country’s economy was only second to the revenue brought in by the apparel sector and pointed out that with the SLBFE and the SLFEA coming within the purview of the External Affairs Ministry, more opportunities for Sri Lankan nationals to work abroad would be further explored.
The Minister made these observations when he addressed academics, intellectuals and former senior officials of the Ministry as part of his efforts to establish a ‘think tank’ at the Ministry of External Affairs on May 11.
He also stated that the contributions by a ‘think tank’ towards achieving the Government’s long term foreign policy objectives would be of significant value to the Ministry. He further stated that a ‘think tank’ could prepare position papers on various issues analyzing different aspects including the advantages and risks. He observed that such analysis would assist policy makers to study the situation and make decisions appropriately. Minister Prof. Peiris stated that though it was with this aim and objective that the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRS) was established, its importance would now increase after it was placed under the purview of the Presidential Secretariat.
The Minister also stated that the External Affairs Ministry would establish links with Universities, academics and intellectuals in their areas of expertise and identify disciplines which are relevant to the Ministry. He stated that the work connected to a ‘think tank’ would be a consistent one and the process would continue.
Secretary to the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga addressing the gathering, recalled the key role played by the Ministry of External Affairs when the Government was carrying out the humanitarian operations. He stated that the support extended by the Ministry to the efforts of President Rajapaksa during a crucial stage in the country’s post independence history, in addressing criticism and concerns from various quarters in the international arena, was significant.
Mr. Weeratunga stated that if he were to recognize an institution from the whole of Government, he would single out the Ministry of External Affairs as an entity which has a long history and institutional memory and noted the contributions made by many individuals in making this memory.
The Secretary to the President commented that the initiative by Prof. Peiris in establishing a ‘think tank’ was ‘laudable’ and offered to provide necessary assistance from the Presidential Secretariat to this effort.
During his address, Mr. Weeratunga, also drew attention to the need to provide the youth of the country with adequate vocational training which can be marketed to the outside world in order to enhance their employment opportunities abroad. He also stated that the staff attached to Sri Lanka Missions abroad should additionally focus on marketing the skills of these youth in order to improve their opportunities for gainful employment overseas.
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