Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday, 17 March 2026 02:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lankan’s young generation is at a critical crossroads when it comes to the job market. It is getting difficult to find preferred jobs for them due to the lack of job opportunities in the market. Also, even if there are job opportunities, most of the time those jobs do not match their educational qualifications and their other expectations. This kind of situation tends to be poor performance, lack of teamwork, higher absenteeism rates and lack of commitment in the working environment.
Over the past few years, access to education has expanded significantly. Government universities, along with the private universities and professional training institutions continue to produce thousands of graduates each year. Even though this would seem to be a development, employment is a different story altogether.
Today, it is becoming extremely hard for many young Sri Lankans to obtain jobs. Even when opportunities come their way, often much qualified graduates find that they are working outside of their qualification. A marketing graduate may have to find employment in any other field, while an IT student of higher skills faces difficulties in getting real-time exposure in the practical world.
In various sectors, the salary for freshers is at a lower level, and it is difficult for young employees to cover their expenses, support their families, and save money. This is compounded by the lack of jobs.
For the past few years, the Government and private sector have failed to create employment to match the number of fresh graduates joining the job market. On other hand, the unstable state of the economy, coupled with high inflation and currency value fluctuations, has affected businesses in creating job opportunities.
Fostering entrepreneurial culture
As the solution to break this cycle of job insecurity, a fundamental shift in point of view is required, moving away from being "job seekers" and toward becoming "job creators." Entrepreneurship offers a rational direct solution to the mismatch between qualifications and opportunities. Instead of waiting for a job opportunity that fit their degree, young graduates can leverage their specialised knowledge to build startups, ventures, or firms. This transition does more than just provide a personal income, it acts as a stabiliser for the national economy. By fostering an entrepreneurial culture, the younger generation can generate new employment for their fellows and drive the innovation necessary to compete in a fluctuating global market.
Eventually, the crossroads the Sri Lankan youth face today is an invitation to redefine the future of work. While the traditional paths of employment may be narrowing, the potential for self-driven innovation is extensive. By embracing risks and rewards of entrepreneurship, the current generation can move beyond the shadow of job insecurity and become the architects of a more resilient, self-sufficient, and innovative Sri Lanka.
(The author is a final-year undergraduate student at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura)
