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.

For more information please contact:

Shantha Kulasekara

Tel. +94.1.532.5300 (Ext:356)

E-mail: "mailto:skulasekara@iom.int">skulasekara@iom.int

Stacey Winston

Tel. +94.1.532.5300 (Ext:340)

E-mail: "mailto:swinston@iom.int">swinston@iom.int

or

Passanna Gunasekera

Tel. +94.1. 532.5300 (Ext 341)

E-mail: "mailto:pgunasekera@iom.int">pgunasekera@iom.int