Keeping Youth in Sri Lanka’s North and East: Migration Challenges and Retention Strategies

Abstract

Youth migration from Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces continues to pose a significant socio-economic challenge in the post-conflict era, exacerbating regional disparities and labor shortages. Despite extensive reconstruction efforts since the end of the civil war in 2009, these regions still face higher unemployment, underdeveloped infrastructure, and limited private sector opportunities compared to the rest of the country. This study investigates the economic, educational, and psychosocial factors influencing youth migration intentions, focusing on personal aspirations, regional challenges, and the effectiveness of retention strategies. Primary data were collected from 1,085 respondents across eight districts using snowball sampling, analyzed through correlation and multiple regression models. Findings reveal that personal ambitions and perceived regional constraints strongly predict migration intentions, while existing retention initiatives have minimal impact. Social networks, including family and peer migration histories, further reinforce migration tendencies. Conversely, participation in community-based entrepreneurship and exposure to localized development programs correlate with reduced migration aspirations. The study underscores the need for policy interventions that expand local employment opportunities, align vocational and higher education with market demands, improve governance and service delivery, and foster community-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems. By addressing both economic and psychosocial dimensions, these strategies can enhance youth retention, mitigate brain drain, and promote inclusive and sustainable development in Sri Lanka’s historically marginalized Northern and Eastern provinces.