NumbersLK, a prominent statistics-based content platform in Sri Lanka, has highlighted a concerning trend within the country's higher education sector. Over the last 18 months, approximately 2,000 lecturers have departed from the nation, leaving a significant void in academia. Presently, out of the necessary 11,900 lecturers, a mere 6,600 remain, reflecting a substantial shortage.

The situation is further exacerbated by a 50% surge in student enrollments since 2017. Remarkably, despite this surge, the academic workforce has not been bolstered with additional hires. This alarming disbalance has been attributed to a combination of unfair income tax burdens and prevailing economic challenges, which have driven high-IQ individuals to seek opportunities abroad.

Experts warn that swift government intervention is imperative to curb this escalating exodus of intellectual capital. If not addressed promptly, the long-term repercussions of these policies are predicted to materialize by the year 2048. The potential dividends of rectifying this situation may not be immediately apparent, but the consequences of inaction could be starkly evident in the years to come.