The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, following the Hon. (Dr.) Archchuna is opportune. On youth, the point about Development Officers converted to teachers and now abandoned is serious. I am not making an ethnic argument, but there is a clear disadvantage in the North, East, and among the up-country Tamils. You recently held a large youth event in Maharagama; how many Tamil-speaking youth attended and participated?

¶ 02 There is persistent discrimination in youth-related matters—not only under this Government but across successive governments. National Youth Councils have long functioned mainly for the majority community. In promotions and appointments there is bias. Visit the Sainthamaruthu Youth Centre; the building is dilapidated and neglected by officials. Address these deficits.

¶ 03 About 23.6 per cent of the population—over five million—are aged 15–29. Roughly 28 per cent of them are jobless. Around 700,000 youth are NEET—not in education, employment, or training. The World Bank has allocated USD 1 billion in 2025 for job creation and private sector stimulation. What plans exist for the jobless youth in the North and East? Projects promised under India-supported programmes and the 2024–2025 Budget remain on paper. By August, nothing has been implemented; even for 2026 Budget preparations, nothing is allocated for the East. This neglect is serious. National Youth Councils should serve all communities; please compare youth training programmes in Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and the Northern Province with other districts—you will see discrimination. Officers are slow and reluctant to encourage youth in the North and East.

¶ 04 Therefore, I urge the Government to address this, starting with visiting the Sainthamaruthu Training Centre in the Eastern Province and remedying the deficiencies.

¶ 05 Thank you.