Govt. unveils National Youth Policy

Monday, 17 February 2014 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Youth Policy of Sri Lanka was launched under the distinguished patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Sugathadasa Indoor stadium last week. At the ceremony President Rajapaksa taking over the National Youth Policy from the Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, presented it to youth representing all sectors of the society.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the National Youth Policy was launched in an environment where the Government had solved number of problems faced by the country as well as unemployment issue after erasing terrorism. He said that as a father of three children he has a better understanding of the needs of the youth and he has taken over the responsibility of the entire youth of the motherland and his aim is to provide a better future for all. The President said English is no longer confined to a particular group of people and the government has peoplised the English language. On top of this with the development of rural villages the gap between the urban and the rural youth has diminished, the President added. At present with 5.3 million youth in this country, the formulation of the National Youth Policy is an attempt to foreground youth development in policy initiatives. It also provides an institutional framework to coordinate youth development initiatives. The National Youth Policy was the outcome of a collaboration of the Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry in coordination with the National Youth Services Council and the Open University of Sri Lanka. Senior Minister A.H.M. Azwer, Education Services Minister Duminda Dissanayake and Hambantota district Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa were also present.