Academic exodus

The brain drain crisis in Sri Lanka's higher education sector has intensified, with nearly 2,000 lecturers leaving the country over the past year and a half, as per University Grants Commission (UGC) data. 

 

 

This trend has worsened in the last six months alone, with 600 lecturers departing, creating a significant shortage of educators. The current lecturer count of 6,600 falls far below the required 11,900. 

 

 

The Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) has engaged with education and finance authorities, discussing issues like taxes on lecturers and doctors, a key factor driving their emigration. 

 

 

Despite promised relief measures, concrete actions have yet to be taken. Ongoing talks and plans to appoint new lecturers to fill vacancies are being considered to combat this crisis.