Sri Lanka, Nov. 10 -- Former Finance Minister and MP Ravi Karunanayake has appealed to HSBC's global leadership to reconsider its decision to close its Global Service Centre in Sri Lanka warning that the move could affect thousands of livelihoods and limit employment opportunities for young people.

In a letter addressed to the Group Chairman and Group Chief Executive of HSBC Holdings plc, Karunanayake called for an urgent dialogue to explore ways of retaining the bank's operations in Sri Lanka before the planned relocation becomes irreversible.

Karunanayake recalled that he had initiated discussions to bring the investment to Sri Lanka while serving as Minister of Trade and Commerce between 2001 and 2004.

He said HSBC's decision to es...