Gilded Cage in An Ocean Paradise; Sri Lanka Labour Migration to the Maldives | Miyuru Gunasinghe

The phenomenon of mass migration for labour from Sri Lanka to the Maldives is however a relatively new trend and is primarily the outcome of economic growth witnessed in the Maldives after 2005, an increase in rebuilding and construction activities after the devastation caused by the Tsunami in 2004, augmented foreign direct investment in the export fishing industry, and rapid development of the hospitality sector through an increase in foreign investment and government initiatives to promote the tourism industry. This demand for expatriate labour has corresponded with a general increase in outbound labour migration from Sri Lanka especially to countries in the Middle East. Many Sri Lankans find the Maldives an attractive option due to the proximity of location, certain similarities in culture and common context of the tourism industries of the two countries . . .