President assures jobs for all unemployed graduates

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa 

• Immediate appointments in relevant sectors based on subject studied
• Local and foreign training for new appointees

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said all unemployed graduates will immediately be recruited in order to involve them in strengthening the national economy.

The President made this announced while addressing a gathering of representatives of unemployed graduates held at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President’s Media said information on existing vacancies at government, semi-government institutes and departments had already been collected. Graduates will be immediately recruited to these positions. They will be provided with formal training and awareness on leadership skills and the public sector. President said that his objective was to create a responsible government service and government employees.

“Unskilled workers are a main source of foreign exchange. Comparatively the country lacks industries with a solid foundation. Human resource is the main strength of the economy. Therefore, the need to properly guide the youth of the country and ensure their contribution to the growth of national economy is a top priority,” President added.

He said people are critical of the public service due to the inappropriate conduct of a few individuals. The President pointed out that wrongdoings of a few government officials had brought the entire service into disrepute.

Government officials are paid with the hard-earned income of the people of this country. Hence, it is the responsibility of the public servant to deliver his or her service efficiently and diligently for the benefit of the people, the President said.

In order to increase facilities and perks given to government officials, economic growth has to be accelerated. The public servants should commit themselves to achieve this objective, the President emphasised.

The education system in the country is being subjected to a major transformation in order to give every child the opportunity to become an active contributor to the growth of the economy. The education system should be reformed to meet the requirements of both local and foreign job markets. That should be done through a strategy based on modern technology, he said.

State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe, Janaka Wakkubura, Kanchana Wijesekara, Kanaka Herath, Members of Parliament Niroshan Premarathna, D. V. Chanaka, Thenuka Vidanagamage, and Honorary Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga were also present at the discussion.