Thursday Jun 25, 2026
Thursday Jun 25, 2026
Thursday, 25 June 2026 06:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a significant milestone for youth-led advocacy in South Asia, the Liberal Youth Movement (LYM) Sri Lanka has officially been accepted as a member of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY). The historic decision was finalised at the 58th IFLRY General Assembly held recently in Taipei, Taiwan, placing Sri Lankan youth advocates on a prominent global stage.
Founded in 2022 by Namini Panditha—a prominent Sri Lankan Attorney-at-Law, author, podcaster, and digital media personality—the Liberal Youth Movement was established to address a critical gap in grassroots civic engagement. The movement’s mission focuses on empowering young people across diverse socio-economic backgrounds to champion core democratic ideals, individual rights, the rule of law, and peaceful public dialogue.
In just four years, LYM has grown into a highly active network spanning multiple districts across Sri Lanka. Through regional workshops, training initiatives, and constitutional advocacy, the organisation has consistently driven political and legal literacy among the country’s youth, even initiating proactive legal measures to protect fundamental liberties during periods of national crisis.
Speaking on the global recognition, Panditha emphasised the long-term vision behind the movement. “When we started LYM, our goal was simple yet urgent: to build an inclusive space where young Sri Lankans could learn to participate meaningfully in governance and defend their civil freedoms. Becoming a part of IFLRY connects our local efforts directly to a worldwide community of youth leaders who share these exact principles,” she stated.
The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is the premier global umbrella organisation for liberal, democratic, and radical youth groups. Holding a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and full membership within Liberal International, IFLRY bridges national youth movements with powerful international platforms. By joining this network, LYM Sri Lanka gains access to vital global resources, international policy forums, and collaborative human rights networks.
The induction has drawn widespread praise from regional bodies, including South Asia Students For Liberty (SFL), who commended Panditha and her team for their relentless efforts in growing the liberty movement within the region.
As Sri Lanka navigates complex socio-economic reforms, the formal inclusion of LYM into the global framework of IFLRY highlights the evolving role of young professionals and civil society leaders in shaping the nation’fs democratic future.
