Harnessing Migration to Connect People, Ideas, and Opportunity for Sri Lanka’s Development
We engage with diaspora and wider international community to transform migration into a strategic national asset.
About Us
The Institute of Migration in Sri Lanka (IMSL) is a forward looking, independent, non governmental, not-for-profit institution based in Colombo, operating at the intersection of migration, development, and public diplomacy.
Migration is inevitable. Migration happens whether governments plan for it or not.
People move for work, safety, education, and opportunity. When managed responsibly and inclusively, it
becomes a powerful driver of development, innovation, and global cooperation. Our work ensures migration
delivers lasting benefits for individuals, communities, and the country, today and for future generations.
We provide research, policy advocacy, and service delivery for governments, international organizations,
diaspora communities, migrants, and partners to harness the full potential of migration for Sri Lanka’s
growth and development. Our service delivery centres on nurturing people-to-people engagement via the
exchange of skills, knowledge, and ideas that strengthen cross-border public diplomacy.
What We Do
We build strategic partnerships to turn migration into a driver of knowledge exchange, innovation, and sustainable development. Our collaborative approach aims to bring meaningful impact to Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan diaspora is a major national asset. It is large, diverse, fragmented, and globally distributed, with strengths in finance, technology, academia, skills, ideas, entrepreneurship, and public service. Diaspora potential does not mobilize automatically. Structured engagement requires policy, institutional capacity and practical engagement.
We strive to introduce and deliver innovative initiatives connecting the diaspora with Sri Lanka through IDEAS BANK, SKILLS BANK, INTERNSHIPS and PHILANTHROPY.
Go beyond traditional learning, we offer a unique platform for global citizens to engage meaningfully with in SRI LANKA and MALDIVES, two of the Indian Ocean’s most vibrant island nations.
Our TRAINING & INTERNSHIPS, SHORT STUDY PROGRAMS, and VOLUNTEER WORK provide first-hand experience of local cultures, economies, and development priorities. This immersive approach not only builds practical skills and global networks, but also fosters people-to-people ties and advancing a modern, inclusive form of public diplomacy connecting between people and nations.
Migration Is Inevitable - Policy Determines Outcomes. Migration happens whether governments plan for it or not. People move for work, safety, education, and opportunity. We undertake research and policy advocacy on migration that are essential to transform human mobility from a challenge into a driver of prosperity, protection, and sustainable development.
Migration today is shaped by labour demand, climate change, geopolitics, technology, and demographics. Laws and institutions often lag behind these realities. We provide capacity building and technical assistance essential to equip the government & stakeholders with the skills, systems, technologies and coordination needed to manage migration effectively.
Who We Work With
We build strategic partnerships to turn migration into a driver of knowledge exchange, innovation, and sustainable development. Our collaborative approach aims to bring meaningful impact to Sri Lanka.
Governments
Donors
International Organizations
Sri Lankan Diaspora
Universities, Academiac & International Students
Civil Society
Migrants
Engage With Us
We invite governments, policymakers, international organisations, donors, development partners, diaspora
communities, universities and interested individuals to collaborate with us.
Through our work, we provide a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and strategic
partnerships. We welcome you to connect with us and be a part of a shared effort to harness migration as a
force for sustainable development and stronger international cooperation
Contact Us
Get in touch to learn more about our services or explore opportunities for collaboration with IMSL.
News And Events
Bringing the World Closer to Sri Lanka. Driving Growth Through Connection.
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