The President also emphasized that a new journey should be undertaken to create a new economy in the country.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (25) organized the National Youth Service Forum at H.M. Amparai. Attended a youth meet held at Weerasinghe Stadium.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe also commented.
“I am looking forward to allocating a portion of the 200 acres of land owned by Youth Services Council in Trincomalee for tourism and the remaining portion for the development of a permanent youth village. Accordingly, in the next two years the Youth Village (Youn Pura) will be ready for your entertainment.
This year Bosan Poya Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people. More than 10 lakh people came to the holy land of Anuradhapura alone. Before that, about 20 lakh people had come to Colombo on the occasion of Vesak festival. New Year celebrations were held across the country in anticipation of Tamil and Sinhala New Year. This year more than 20,000 dhansals were distributed in Sri Lanka on behalf of Boson. After some years people were able to celebrate these festivals freely.
So far people were afraid about the future of the country and themselves. They could not decide whether to stay in the country or go abroad. In the last 4 years, the economy of the country has declined. There was no electricity in the country. There was no food, medicine or fuel. All businesses collapsed. Accordingly, there was great apprehension about our future. Young people gathered in large numbers near the Korean embassy for job opportunities. Another group is ready to go to Saudi Arabia. But now the country’s economy is progressing little by little due to our efforts.
In the coming week, Sri Lanka will become a debt-paying country by signing an agreement with the countries that have given us loans. Accordingly, we get foreign exchange, aid and foreign investments. With that, we can start a new journey.
It’s up to you to decide how to navigate this new journey. A return to the old pattern of borrowing could lead to the worst recession in 15 years.
We have to embark on a new journey to create a new economy in this country. Japan, Vietnam, China, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore have each transitioned to export economies. Initially, these countries were in poverty condition than our country. But today those countries have made great progress.
Our country has talented youth. But they never got the chance. We have to think how to earn foreign exchange by creating an export economy. We must all go on this journey together.
Our responsibility is not to make a future for ourselves, it is to make a better future for you, the youth. It takes 20 years to develop a country. That is why we declared that Sri Lanka should become a developed country by 2048 when we complete 100 years of independence. Some insulted us.
In 2047, 100 years of India’s independence will pass. Accordingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that we should create a developed India by 2047. While building a developed India in 2047, let us all come together to build a developed Sri Lanka in 2048. We are now laying the necessary foundation for that. Therefore, the future of the country should be discussed. Your future is decided, not mine or the future of the ministers here.
In 1977 JR. Jayawardena said I don’t need a future, create your own future. Accordingly, the Youth Service Council was established. Youth Village (Youn Pura) established. Garment factories were established. The tourism sector was built up. If there was no war, tourism would have greatly improved. Then the country went into economic decline. To rebuild the country’s economy. Everyone should join it. Let’s all work together to create the future you want.
I request the Minister of Youth Affairs to initiate a comprehensive dialogue on this. We cannot go back to the old ways. We cannot suffer again without oil and fertilizer. People need a better future. I call upon all of us to unite for that.” The President said.
Responding to the questions raised by the youth, the President said:
Question:
Can you progress as a smart farmer under your idea based smart farming scheme?
Answer:
”The Agricultural Modernization Program was launched this year. We expect to fully implement this program from next year with the support of international countries. This year the program was piloted.”
Question:
Can the Olu University non-academic staff strike stop?
Answer:
“We have presented a program that can be presented by the government to non-academic employees. We request you to accept it and rejoin the service.”
Question:
“We youths living in agricultural areas are interested in producing export crops. Can we start a project that will provide the necessary technical know-how and guidance?”
Answer:
“We are taking steps to start a program to export agricultural crops in the country. The project should be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and other agencies. And the scheme will be implemented from next year through proper planning.”
Question:
The facilities at Ampara station of National Youth Services Council are inadequate. Can you provide the necessary facilities and a three-storey building?
Answer:
(National Youth Services Council President/Director General Pasitu Gunaratne)
“Many requests were made to provide a building for the Amparai National Youth Service Training Centre. Accordingly, we expect the President to provide the necessary financial allocation. And we hope to be able to construct the building by next year. ”
Commenting here, Minister Harin Fernando said:
“Current President Ranil Wickramasinghe has brought light to the country which was plunged in darkness. He has instilled hope for the future in the youth of a dark country. It’s time to open your eyes. We have a leader who will work for the future of the youth of this country rather than chance leaders. We have a leader who can get you what you want. Let’s move forward with a working leader. We will develop this agricultural region through modern agriculture. We cannot go back to the situation of two years ago.” He said.
President/Director General of National Youth Services Council Pacitu Gunaratne:
“It must be said that the golden age dawned for the youth of this country during the reign of President Ranil Wickramasinghe. Minister Harin Fernando is also giving great support to this. A year and a half ago, the youth of this country did not have faith in the National Youth Service Council. Today the youth of this country have faith in us.
The contribution of youth contributes greatly to the development of the country. We must not stop this journey. You have made a decision to take this country forward. Accordingly, your contribution to the current President’s work plan to take the country forward is necessary,” he said.
Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman, Members of Parliament Tilak Rajapaksa, A. L. M. Ataullah, H. M. M. Harris, S. M. M. Musharraf, R. Kalaiyarasan, T. Weerasinghe, former Deputy Minister Sriyani Wijewickrama and other political representatives of the province and government officials including President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake attended the event.
