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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka has for the past
three decades been facing threats from the most brutal terrorist
organisation in the world, a terror outfit that does not
hesitate to use youth as pawns and cannon fodder in brutal
operations to undermine the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the country. President Rajapaksa was speaking at
the opening ceremony of the Seventh Commonwealth Youth
Ministers' Meeting held at the BMICH on Sunday 27 April.
The recruitment of young boys and girls as child soldiers for
forces of terror has been condemned by the United Nations and
all those who seek peace and democracy in the world including
members of the Commonwealth, the President said. "I am aware
that Sri Lanka is not alone in facing this brutality of child
soldiers," he added.
President Rajapaksa said that it is our resolve not to give into
these forces of terror to save our youth from the clutches of
these forces. Sri Lanka has an extensive rehabilitation
programme for children who were involved in armed conflict and
the children must be returned to their parents.
Sri Lanka has a clear view on the need for better empowerment of
youth to overcome the growing challenge of unemployment.
Youth must be empowered through a balanced education, skills
development sports and recreation in an environment enriched by
culture and religion with harmony, the President said.
Therefore, priority should be given to the political stability
and economic development of the country.
The President said that in Sri Lanka 40 per cent of the
nominations of contesting Local Government elections are from
youth between 18 to 35 years of age because youth proved that
they are a powerful force for development democracy and peace
building Sri Lanka.
The President explained the projects implemented for youth in
the country ensuring free education with free textbooks,
restrictions for drugs and liquor, special programme for
studying English language and developing IT skills of youth.
Minister of Youth Affairs Pavithra Wanniarachchi and
Commonwealth General Secretary Kamalesh Sharma also addressed
the parley. |