Migration for educational purposes has become a growing migratory outflow from Sri Lanka. The out migration of students has a multitude of implications including merits such as easing the pressure on the Sri Lankan higher education system, and inflow of social and financial remittances, expertise and knowhow, as well as demerits such as brain drain, labour market shortages, and foreign exchange outflow. Nevertheless, there is limited systematic and empirical evidence-based socioeconomic understanding about student migration from Sri Lanka. The absence of a clear understanding about this population inhibits the development of appropriate policies to harness the benefits and minimise the demerits associated with student migration. In this context, the goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding about Sri Lankan-origin student migrants.
