Great boon from Malaysia

MALAYSIA'S decision to open its doors to Lankan labour, particularly of the skilled kind, testifies eloquently to the warm and friendly ties existing between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Here is also proof that Malaysia - an economic power house of South East Asia - is willing to lend us a warm helping hand in our development thrust.

At one time described as one of South East Asia's 'Leaping Tigers', Malaysia has much to offer by way of job opportunities and as reported in this newspaper yesterday, the majority of these jobs are available in Malaysia's construction, manufacturing, Information Technology, plantations, tourism and health sectors. Thus, a wide-range of job opportunities is on offer and Lankans should consider this a great boon and make judicious use of these employment openings.

It is not only that the availing of these job opportunities would make a dent in our unemployment problem but Lankans would also be in a position to acquire a wide-range of skills particularly in the technological sphere.

Labour Minister Athauda Seneviratne has done well to thus serve an important national need by paving the way for absorption into the Malaysian job market of skilled and capable Lankans. Hitherto it has been, mainly, the Middle Eastern and Gulf states which have served as labour markets for Lankans.

The opening of a considerable number of job opportunities in Malaysia would mean that Lankans could now earn more valuable foreign exchange for their country and hone their skills in one of South East Asia's most dynamic economies.

It was only a few days back that we had with us, a key political figure of Malaysia who is credited with transforming Malaysia into what is called a "miracle economy": former Malaysian Premier Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamed.

As the interview on this page with Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama indicates, discipline, hard work and a peaceful disposition were key elements in Malaysia's economic transformation. We hope our workers would come to acquire these qualities through their exposure to Malaysia's work culture.

We also hope that increasing interaction between Malaysia and Sri Lanka would prove an educative experience for Lankans in the way ethnic unity and a spirit of compromise among ethnic communities lead to national stability and harmony.

Unfortunately, not all Lankans believe that political power should be shared among Lanka's main ethnic groups, for the greater good of the country and for a stable peace.

Malaysia is living proof that peace and prosperity would follow from a country's ethnic groups' decision to share power rather than murderously squabble among themselves for the lion's share of power.

We need to, indeed, take a leaf from Malaysia, in nation-building.