Wednesday, 13th August 2014
Ishara Mudugamuwa and Raja Waidayasekara , Tissamaharama Corr. reporting from Hambantota
The government of Sri Lanka is very committed to working for the well being of youth, said External Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris.
He was delivering the key note speech at the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Youth Council Secretariat in Hambantota.
The Minister said that as a leader with a clear vision for the future of youth in this country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken prudent measures for the well being of youth by combining the Youth Affairs Ministry and Vocational Training Ministry.
“Even the Colombo Declaration which came out in May 2014 to coincide with the World Conference on Youth clearly shows the future path for youth all over the world,” the minister said.
“Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world which lays so much emphasis on youth aspirations and development ,” the minister added.
“The establishment of Commonwealth Youth Council Secretariat will be a very productive endeavour which will not only be a boon to our youth,but to the youth of the world to reach greater heights.
Commonwealth Youth program project manager Lane Robinson proposed that an Asian Youth Council be set up and that Sri Lanka is the most suitable country in Asia to take up this challenge.
He said that youth the world over should pay gratitude to the Sri Lankan Government for the initiatives taken on their behalf.
He also thanked the Sri Lankan government for the initiatives taken in youth development activities.
Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, National Youth services Council Chairman Lalith Piyum Perera and a host of other distinguished guests participated on the occasion.
From : http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/govt-committed-working-well-being-youth-gl
