The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the timely Motion brought by Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi to strengthen and steer the National Youth Services Council towards a fulfilled youth is a very good proposal for us to discuss today.

¶ 02 The very fact that a Member brings such a Motion shows what has happened in these institutions over time. The primary purposes and objectives of these institutions—and the service expected of them—were not properly achieved in the past, which is why, I believe, our Hon. Member has had to make this request.

¶ 03 The National Youth Corps and the National Youth Services Council are two institutions mandated for the advancement of youth in Sri Lanka—tasked with creating a youth population endowed with vision and creative skills. We must ask whether those duties were fulfilled and whether our youth were uplifted through these two institutions. We know that previous governments used these institutions to serve their political manifestos and agendas. At our very first COP meeting, we saw discussions about spending hundreds of millions of rupees on musical shows, etc. From that, it is clear for what purposes those institutions and funds were used.

¶ 04 Recognizing the heavy politicization of these institutions and the consequent failure to meet national youth objectives, we have studied the issues and started implementing numerous programmes. We designed these plans precisely for that reason. When we took office, we realized there is a significant problem among our youth, arising from all directions. In a country where the economy collapses, it affects youth; when education collapses, it affects youth; when culture erodes, it affects youth; when health deteriorates, it affects youth. With all these breaking down, major problems have emerged for our youth. Therefore, we have planned how to rebuild the isolated youth.

¶ 05 Previously, there was no such plan in the State. Youth were completely forgotten. We had no system to identify youth talents. Therefore, as a responsibility of our Government and our Ministry, we have paid great attention to how to identify this isolated youth correctly and give youth their due place. Accordingly, we have set up a programme to network youth. We have created youth centres targeting every Grama Niladhari Division, to bring youth together and, tomorrow, to resolve their problems and free them from isolation.

¶ 06 Through that, we will develop youth entrepreneurship and enhance sports skills. We are also improving knowledge—especially English and IT—through a programme established at the National Youth Services Council. Through it, we will build stronger, more resilient youth for the future. We have also created various cultural programmes to elevate their artistic talents, because our full responsibility is to create youth who are creative, active, sporty, knowledgeable, and culturally enriched.

¶ 07 The youth uplift is a package. We, as a Ministry and as an institution, have taken charge of that package. Through our plans, we will provide opportunities never before available in this country—opportunities for youth to experience youth, to experience life, and to live in a beautiful country. Accepting Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi’s Motion, we pledge to implement our policies in unison to achieve these aims. I conclude.

¶ 08 Thank you very much.

¶ 09 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 10 Parliament adjourned accordingly at 6.17 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 04th March, 2025 pursuant to the Resolution of Parliament of 21st February, 2025.