Saturday Dec 28, 2024
Saturday Dec 28, 2024
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President Ranil Wickremesinghe surrounded by youth for selfies during the event in Kandy on Sunday
President Ranil Wickrem-esinghe on Sunday underscored a pivotal shift in the country’s economic trajectory led by the youth, noting the importance of propelling the country towards rapid development under their leadership.
Speaking during the ‘Let’s Start with Me’ Kandy District Youth Conference held at the President’s House in Kandy on Sunday, he outlined plans to introduce fundamental legislation essential for establishing a new economic framework, slated for presentation to Parliament in May and approval by June.
Embracing the aspirations of the younger generation, Wickremesinghe stressed the key role of the youth in shaping the country’s economic destiny.
He warned against the stagnation or collapse of the economy and stressed the importance of collective efforts to boost it.
“If we fail to drive the country towards rapid development, its future remains bleak. It all rests upon the youth to determine whether to allow the economy to stagnate, advance it forward, or permit its collapse. If the economic agenda of the current Government is dismissed, the economy of the country risks another collapse. Not everyone possesses the means to depart the country financially. Thus, it is incumbent upon all of us to collectively boost the country’s economy,” he pointed out.
He stressed the need for collaboration among Government Departments and corporations to achieve rapid economic advancement, hinting at potential institutional revisions if necessary.
“We are actively engaged in constructing a new economic model to meet this demand. The foundational laws necessary for this endeavour are anticipated to be presented to Parliament in May and enacted by June. Effecting change in the economy necessitates a corresponding transformation in the country’s legal framework,” he added.
Highlighting the significance of rural development, Wickremesinghe unveiled plans for an agricultural modernisation program aimed at introducing modern farming practices to villages, underscoring the intertwined nature of rural and national economic growth.
“If achieving this objective proves challenging, a revision of institutional structures becomes imperative.
Furthermore, the country’s economy cannot develop without parallel development in rural areas. Every prosperous country has bolstered its rural agricultural economy. Hence, we have initiated the agricultural modernisation program to introduce modern agricultural practices to villages. In light of this, it falls upon the youth to determine whether to embrace change and drive forward or remain inert,” he stressed.
Drawing parallels with past successes, the President urged the youth to join hands in driving forward transformative initiatives, reminiscent of historical endeavours such as the Mahaweli Program and the establishment of garment factories.
President Wickremesinghe also announced forthcoming legislative measures to address gender disparities in the workforce and safeguard women’s rights, inviting youth participation in the transformative journey ahead.
“When the United National Party (UNP) assumed power in 1977, President J.R. Jayewardene urged the youth to lead the nation forward, stating, “If you are prepared to take on this task, I am here to provide the requisite guidance.
Here are a few of the queries raised by the youth and the corresponding responses provided by the President;
Q: We have witnessed the implementation of various ordinances in our country. Moreover, the recently established JanaSabha appears to be a promising initiative. However, it appears that the establishment of JanaSabhas has slowed down. Could you provide some insight on this matter?
A: The JanaSabha initiative is indeed commendable. Currently, only a few have been initiated on a trial basis. It’s crucial that the public conducts themselves in a manner that avoids complications during the formalisation of public gatherings. There are several challenges to address, such as the selection of members. It is imperative that we engage in discussions with the Ministry of Local Government to resolve these issues before proceeding further. If it’s not feasible to address these challenges this year, we aim to restart the JanaSabha initiative next year.
Q: We have observed shortcomings in the provision of Aswesuma benefits. We aspire for all impoverished families to receive these benefits.
A: The Government has initiated measures to address these deficiencies, particularly by scrutinising eligibility criteria for providing such benefits. Plans are underway to computerise this program by 2025, aiming to extend these benefits to 2.4 million families. The Aswesuma program was launched to provide assistance to all disadvantaged individuals across the country.
Q: The tourism industry in our country, which had faced a downturn, now seems to be thriving. Small businesses are inquiring about potential plans to implement a program aimed at distributing the benefits of tourism to industrialists.
A: Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges faced by the nation, our tourism sector indeed experienced a significant decline. However, we are pleased to note that tourist arrivals to our country have started to rise once more.
In light of the revival in tourism, we are actively pursuing initiatives to grant concessions to small-scale entrepreneurs. Additionally, we have devised strategies to propel the tourism sector in our country towards rapid growth. Consequently, plans are underway to establish committees dedicated to promoting tourism in each province.
Q: There are insufficient job opportunities for young individuals who have completed vocational training. Could you please elaborate on the steps taken regarding these trainees?
A: Amidst the economic crisis, some individuals unfortunately lost their jobs. However, the country is gradually emerging from this financial turmoil. Particularly with the expansion of investment opportunities, numerous new job openings are being generated.
Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, State Ministers Lohan Ratwatte, Anuradha Jayaratne, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, former MP K.K. Piyadasa, and United National Party’s Chairman Lakvanitha Peramuna Shanthini Kongahage attended the event.
