Sri Lanka’s automation industry joining the global manufacturing value chain is not feasible due to the brain drain in the country as a result of the unprecedented economic crisis, an industry expert shared with The Daily Morning Business.

Speaking to The Daily Morning Business yesterday (29) Fine Finish Engineering Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. G.B. Hewawasam stated: “One might think that with brain drain, automation might be a solution. But with the Government (of Sri Lanka) encouraging people to migrate to another country and bring dollars back, the skilled labour departs to another country. 

He explained that the workforce’s skills are similar to a company’s heart. Therefore, Sri Lanka’s automation industry joining the global manufacturing value chain could be disrupted in the long run even though it is a sustainable means of foreign exchange income to the country in overcoming its prevailing crisis and paving the way for economic revival. 

Dr. Hewawasam suggested that the Government, as the policy maker, needs to come together with the automation industry along with the academia to ensure mitigating brain drain. 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva presented a blueprint in Parliament last year which included a 10-point programme for the country’s economic recovery, titled “Out of the Debt Trap and Towards Sustainable Inclusive Development”. In this programme, the seventh point was regarding trade and industry promotion where it was pointed out that through export promotion, it is possible to integrate Sri Lanka with global production networks. 

At the same time, one of the country’s highest foreign exchange earners – apparel exports – have experienced difficulties as the global recession has impacted the demand for Sri Lankan apparel due to high costs of production, with the country’s market share taken over by Bangladesh.