Sri Lankans in Switzerland and their Involvement in the Home Country

The SDC mandates Philippe Gazagne, Researcher at the Program for the Study of Global Migration at the Graduate Institute, Geneva, for a consultancy that aims to assess the capabilities of Sri Lankan migrants (as well as the obstacles they face) to invest productively in Sri Lanka. This is to consider how migrants living in Switzerland may contribute to their country of origin, using their experience, knowledge and capital they have acquired abroad.

Expatriate populations often play a crucial role by ensuring the survival of their families who have stayed behind. Diaspora communities not only send money to their relatives at home, they may also, in some situations, invest or get involved in productive projects in their home countries. As a matter of fact, their resources can play a key role in development. As part of this reflection, Sri Lanka is one of the priority countries for the division « Global Programme Migration » of the SDC. With more than 40’000 people, the population originally from Sri Lanka is indeed one of the most significant migrant groups in Switzerland.

There have been longstanding debates about the impact of remittances by migrants, being invested “only” in health, education and housing and not in productive sectors of local economies. The objective of the consultancy is to analyse the use of remittances by Sri Lankan migrants and assess the impact on employment and income generation in Sri Lanka, either directly or indirectly. It aims to explore the Diasporas capacity and motivations to get involved in productive activities and employment generation in their home country. The study will also explore if and what could be the role of SDC as development agency in facilitating or supporting these processes.

Mr. Philippe Gazagne: Project Manager