Sri Lankan citizens or world citizens?

However those who immigrate and trade their old personalities to something more humane and presentable never wish to return to this country other than for a holiday

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has conveyed through state media outlets that the country will be rid of bankruptcy by next month (December). For this to happen individuals working overseas must send in their hard earned dollars to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka needs individuals who are focused on goals; never the self-centered individuals who are often selfish and don’t give a damn about others and the country of their birth. You can see the young ‘brats’ or the offspring of senior politicians do just that at present

• Also those who immigrate get to see that all around there is a thirst for education and professionally qualifying themselves 
• Literature associated with him shows us that Obama was a true World Citizen 
• When we analyse our political set-up here we’ve mostly had dreamers and charmers 

In Sri Lanka we have people who cannot change when they live here in this island. Many among them who immigrate make the necessary changes when they fly overseas for employment. Suddenly, those who were proud to be Sri Lankan and cherished the islanders’ way of life embrace other cultures and even adapt to changes in climate and different cuisine. Most importantly they become ‘world citizens’! The question posed by critics is whether these immigrants from Sri Lanka can so easily kill the ‘islander’ in them? 
Sometimes killing the islander within is essential because islanders are ruthless and establish their lives around a sense of vigilance and looking at everyone with suspicion. However those who immigrate and trade their old personalities to something more humane and presentable never wish to return to this country other than for a holiday. The reason for not coming back probably has more to do with the opportunities there that guarantee the best return for hard work and professionalism compared to what Sri Lanka offers. 
Also those who immigrate get to see that all around there is a thirst for education and professionally qualifying themselves regardless of age and the responsibilities they carry. Many years ago former USA President Barack Obama’s mother Stanley Ann Dunham completed her university education and followed her passion to be a career woman despite all the setbacks she faced in life. The important point to ponder in her life was Stanley giving little regard to parenting duties and what society thought of her as a single mother. She handed her children to her mother in Hawaii and set about her goal to earn her qualifications, work hard and beat poverty; all that was done in another country where she faced the odds alone. 
Sri Lanka needs individuals who are focused on goals; never the self-centered individuals who are often selfish and don’t give a damn about others and the country of their birth. You can see the young ‘brats’ or the offspring of senior politicians do just that at present. 

Former USA President Obama was one country leader who proposed new laws and took bold Executive decisions to make America a role model nation to other countries. A few of the decisions he took and merits mention here is the Executive Order he gave for Guantanamo Bay (A torture centre where individuals who were a national threat were kept) to be close down. He forced a Cap on Executive pay and put a ceiling at US$ 500,000 and lifted a travel ban on HIV victims. He was the recipient of the Nobel Peace prize which was presented to him for ‘his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people’. A general poll done on Obama’s personality and achievements produced facts such as he being 59% popular with the people and enjoying a fame of 99%. Those who disliked him were not more than 26%. Can we boast of such statistics about anyone of our past presidents? 
Obama was born in Hawaii and received his initial education in the country of his birth. He later became the first African American to hold office as president of USA. Literature associated with him shows us that Obama was a true World Citizen. This is probably because his mother imbedded in him the idea of drawing inspiration from the lives of accomplished world figures like Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi and singer Harry Belafonte. From science, to compassion for the human race and different sounds of music all put together probably brought out the best human version in Obama. Sri Lankans can take a cue from this president who had two terms in the hot seat of American politics. 
Records from the Immigration authorities here in Sri Lanka reveal that the islanders are mostly inclined towards finding employment in Middle Eastern countries. These Middle Eastern countries have made it very clear that they need both the ‘brawn and brain’ of expatriates to develop their country. Doesn’t the Sri Lankan government need such individuals here as well? 
When we analyze our political set-up here we’ve mostly had dreamers and charmers. There are the offspring of senior politicians who are dreaming of making their fortunes by pursuing politics. The charmers (senior politicians) are out on the streets again, using social media platforms and working hard to hoodwink the people; getting ready for the next election. What must be stressed here is that Obama was neither a charmer nor a dreamer. He worked hard to go that long distance in politics. 

The Sri Lankans who go abroad for employment have to work hard. This is because others-mostly Asians- who have gone there before them are working harder. One has to throw into the equation characteristic not often seen in this island like being fearless, hardworking and having a huge appetite for success. The laid back islander’s attitude will be shed the moment one steps in a foreign country. It must be something that’s shed here was well if this nation is going to rebuild this crumbled economy. 
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has conveyed through state media outlets that the country will be rid of bankruptcy by next month (December). For this to happen individuals working overseas must send in their hard earned dollars to Sri Lanka. Lawmakers who are known for their ignorance of economic affairs and general arrogance must give way for a new generation of politicians or be defeated. This game of palming the blame on the former Yahapalana regime for the present economic crisis must stop when the country’s top court has named at least two members of a prominent political family among several others as the culprits for this debacle. Sri Lankans who have migrated abroad must be aware of the latest political developments here and use this knowledge when they get to cast their votes online from abroad when elections are on in this little island. As much as going abroad is probably considered as an opportunity that serves as the last bus towards experiencing economic freedom people who have remained here must seriously consider that they have to get the right politicians into office if this beautiful nation is to make a comeback as an island like no other.