Govt. systematically addressing youth issues: President
Saturday, 4 January 2014 00:01
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The Government is in the process of addressing problems faced by the youth systematically, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
He said the Government is in the process of removing ‘youth unrest’ from the lexicon as it succeeded in removing claymore attacks, border villages, underdeveloped villages and ceasefire agreement from the Sri Lankan lexicon, the President further said.
The President said no government had a plan to address youth unrest which triggered youth resurrection in the country in the 1970s and 80s.
He said more youth of today are fortunate to secure government employment due to the government’s policy.
President Rajapaksa was speaking at the presentation of appointment letters to over 2,600 new recruits to the state management service at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Thursday.
The President presented appointment letters to youth representing all districts.
He said the Government has ensured the future of the youth generation in the country while strengthening public service.
President Rajapaksa said the Government led by him strengthened public service from 600,000 in 2005 to 1.4 million by 2014.
“It was very difficult to secure government employment 10-15 years back due to the policies adopted by the UNP regime,” he said.
He said the UNP administration planned to prune the strength of the public service from 800,000 to 300,000. The President said today’s youths are fortunate to secure government employment more easily than 10 years back. He said youth were deprived the opportunity to enter public service as the then government was in the process of pruning the public service.
The President added that the UNP has still not deviated from this policy.
He said this situation was changed when he came into power in 2005. “Unemployment among youth caused youth unrest in the country and no government had a viable solution for this issue,” he said.
The President added that government servants should discharge their service to the public efficiently.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring the security of women. The President said the country is always safe when the security of women is guaranteed.
