Sri Lanka is honoured to host this important event, “Third Senior Official Meeting of the Colombo Process” from 4th November to 5thNovember 2015.

As we know, over 2.5 million Asian workers leave their countries annually to work abroad. They contribute to the economic development of the countries of destinations and also contribute to the socio-economic development of their home countries through their remittances and newly acquired skills on returning home.

Though it is true that significant progress has been made in managing migration in the last decade, we are still faced with issues and challenges of exploitation and malpractices in labour migration process, high migration cost, major share of the low skilled sector, vulnerability of labour migrants, which are common in many of our countries. This means that we all have an unfinished agenda in achieving the ideal scenario for labour migration.

Therefore, I am happy see that the upcoming Third Senior Officials’ Consultation has focused on these vital issues related to labour migration.

As the current Chair-in-Office of the Colombo Process, Sri Lanka has conducted two Senior Officials' Meetings, and the 3^rd Senior Officials’ meeting will be held on 4^th and 5^th November this year.

Sri Lanka had embarked on 5 thematic areas for focus under Sri Lanka's leadership of the Colombo Process.

1. Review the Qualification Recognition Processes including transnational accreditation and monitoring.
2. Promote Cheaper, Faster& Safer Transfer of Remittance.
3. Ethical Labour Recruitment Practices.
4. Effective Pre-departure Orientation & Empowerment.
5. Developing a database on the economic trends in the destination countries.

It is my hope that this meeting will bring us a step closer to developing an effective migration management system for the labour sending countries in Asia, and also allow for the introduction of innovative ideas for promoting and protecting our labour migrants abroad.I feel that the Colombo Process provides an ideal platform for regional collaboration and partnership and hope that this meeting will conclude successfully with the desired outcome aimed at addressing the challenges ahead with collaborative efforts.

With continued participation of the member countries and also the destination countries, this dialogue will contribute to strengthening migration management, both in the Asian region and in countries of destination.

I wish to conclude by extending a warm welcome to all and hope that together we will be able to ensure safe migration and decent work for all.

G.S.Withanage
Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Employment,Sri Lanka