Sri Lankan universities are to be actively involved for the first time in the history of the island nation in an ambitious national youth programme targeting key sectors contributing to the Gross Domestic Project (GDP).
An initial national youth programme is set to launch in conjunction with the 75th Independence Day on February 04.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed to implement a youth-led development project covering the entire island to make Sri Lanka a developed country by the 100th Independence Celebration (2048) through youth ideas, skills and interventions under the theme, ‘National Youth Platform’.
Under this initiative, plans related to the development of the major cities in each district as tourism zones formulated by the lecturers and students of all the universities were presented to the President.
Therefore, the President also pointed out that the youth can present their vision, plans and creative skills to the government through the National Youth Platform for building the developed country that they desire.
The preliminary plan for engaging the university system in this project was presented by the Presidential Director of Youth Affairs and Sustainable Development Randula Abeweera.
Accordingly, it was proposed to implement these programs with the participation of the universities based in the districts of Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Kandy and Batticaloa.
Tourism plans were presented by the Jaffna and Vavuniya University, focusing on the Jaffna district , the Kelaniya University and Rajarata University for the Anuradhapura district.
The Ruhuna University, Sabaragamuwa University and Sir John Kotelawala Defense University jointly submitted plans for the Galle districts and the Colombo University, Sri Jayewardenepura University, University of Fine Arts and the Moratuwa University for the Colombo district.
Peradeniya, Wayamba and Uva Wellassa Universities jointly presented the plans related to the Kandy district while the Eastern and South Eastern Universities presented the plans for the Batticaloa district.
The President said that private-sector financial assistance could also be sought to support this programme.
Pointing out that it is a very good trend for the university community to contribute to the development of the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe appreciated the university community’s involvement in these projects and commended their contribution.
During a discussion on the special project to be introduced under the National Youth Platform, President Wickremesinghe said that the future development plans of the country should be prepared not for today but for the next 25 years.
He disclosed that the expectation is to maximize the contribution of the youth, adding that when the centenary of independence is celebrated in another 25 years, the youth of the country will be the leaders of Sri Lanka.
Therefore, the President also pointed out that the youth can present their vision, plans and creative skills to the government through the National Youth Platform for building the developed country that they desire.
The President also mentioned that new tourism policies would be introduced next year to promote the tourism industry. In addition, the President presented many plans to be implemented in the future to direct the university system of Sri Lanka on a new path.
The President also emphasized how the structure of the university system should be changed to create universal access to university education.
The President also emphasized the measures needed to be taken to make Sri Lanka a regional education hub, also pointing out the possibility of providing an opportunity to students from regional countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, to study in Sri Lankan universities.
In addition, the President also mentioned that another state university is planned to be established in the Kurunegala District.
