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Saturday Dec 28, 2024
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| MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa
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MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa yesterday claimed that the Government has ignored the country’s youth in its Budget for 2023.
“There was a significant citizen’s struggle or Aragalaya this year led by the country’s youth. Today 50% of the
country’s population is under the age of 35 while 25% are under the age of 15. The country cannot go forward without focusing on the youth, their needs and demands. But the recently presented Budget has not paid any attention to them,” he said.
Godahewa made these comments at a press conference held at the office of the Freedom People’s Congress (FPC), a breakaway group of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
Noting that the President’s speech included mentions of the youth recognising them as an asset to the country, Godahewa said however this contradicts the actual allocation of funds in the Budget. “There is a significant disparity between the fairy tales of the Budget and fund allocation,” he said.
“The funds allocated for youth in the Budget are very limited. On the other hand, a significant amount has been set aside for the military and the police. Rs. 76 billion has been increased for the military and the police between 2021 and 2023,” he noted.
According to the MP, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs had been allocated Rs. 6.5 billion in 2023, up Rs. 2.4 billion from the allocation in 2021. In comparison the funds allocated for military and Police have seen an increase of Rs. 76 billion, he noted.
“The President in his speech noted Sri Lankan needs a competitive labour force. This is a very important fact. But despite speaking of skill development, not a single rupee more has been allocated for the purpose. Instead, it has been reduced to Rs. 666 million down from Rs. 2,100 million in the previous Budget,” Godahewa revealed. “A great injustice has been done to the country’s youth,” he opined.
“The Government has no plans to develop the skills of youth despite its importance. Students leaving schools must be given vocational training and the required support must be given by the Government. What will the result be if allocated funds are reduced further?” he asked.
Godahewa said only the private sector will be able to offer jobs to the youth in the future. “56% of the jobs are provided by the SME sector. For youth to obtain employment at these SMEs the businesses must be allowed to develop. But with an increase in interest rates, taxes and costs how can these businesses function?” he asked.
Godahewa warned that as a result, rampant unemployment will leave the youth disgruntled causing unrest among them. “This is a ticking time bomb,” he noted calling on the Government to focus on the issues faced by the youth and provide suitable solutions to them.
