Sri Lanka is facing a severe brain drain crisis, with a recent study from the University of Peradeniya revealing that over 50 per cent of state university graduates—and as many as 80 to 90 per cent in critical fields like medicine, engineering, and agriculture—are permanently leaving the country, according to an article by Ceylon Public Affairs.
The article highlights that the Sri Lankan government spends approximately Rs. 87 billion annually on university education, a system some critics say has effectively turned free education into a “development aid programme” for wealthier countries. Graduates trained at state universities often contribute their skills to the economies of the West, while Sri Lanka continues to struggle with a 24.5 per cent poverty rate.
Annually, around 42,000 undergraduates complete degrees across disciplines such as arts (25 per cent), management (20 per cent), engineering (13 per cent), and medicine (10 per cent). The University of Peradeniya study found that the brightest graduates—particularly those in science-based fields—are leaving in large numbers, with migration rates exceeding 80 per cent in some departments.
The high levels of migration are driven by economic and social factors. Low wages, high unemployment, and the lingering effects of the country’s economic crisis—including the sovereign default and COVID-19 disruptions—push graduates to seek opportunities abroad. Both the private and public sectors in Sri Lanka struggle to offer salaries competitive with international markets, keeping the nation trapped in a middle-income stagnation.
The consequences of this brain drain are significant. Sri Lanka’s healthcare and education systems are under growing strain, with shortages of doctors and university lecturers placing additional pressure on the remaining professionals.
The University of Peradeniya study suggests two controversial measures to recoup some of the public investment: requiring graduates who emigrate to reimburse the government USD 10,000–15,000 or mandating USD 50,000 in remittances to their families. However, enforceability of such measures remains a major challenge.
