Check brain drain, says Imthiaz Bakeer Markar

Let's not repeat past mistakes, said Imthiaz Bakeer Markar in his keynote address at the 17th death anniversary of former Mannar District Minister M.E.H. Mahroof last Sunday at the Mutur Muslim Vidyalaya.

He referred to the negative impact created by communal disharmony in the past.

The brainy sons of this soil had left our shores and domiciled in foreign lands, he said.

There are representatives in the House of Commons in Great Britain, Canadian Parliament and a large number of Municipal Mayors in England and even in the Australian Parliament, there would be members in the near future who are descendents of Sri Lankans who had left the country with broken hearts due to the shortsighted policies of past leaders.

"We would not have lost these professionals and intellectuals, had our previous leaders addressed their grievances tactfully and realistically.

Following the eradication of terrorism, a golden opportunity has now dawned. Bakeer Markar said that it is our supreme duty to safeguard the legitimate rights of all communities without leaving room for anybody to seek foreign refuge as in the past. He called upon all community leaders to work and act as Sri Lankans to make this country a peaceful place on earth.