Namal to play greater national role
by Dinesh Weerawansa
 Namal Rajapaksa, who has
rendered yeoman service to the country, initially as a sportsman and
later as a youth leader, will contest the forthcoming parliamentary
general election. He will be contesting under the United People’s
Freedom Alliance (UPFA) from his native Hambantota district.
The eldest son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal was a versatile
sportsman and brought credit to S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia and Sri
Lanka Youth rugby teams. He first played for S.Thomas’ in 2003 and
captained his alma mater in 2005. He also had the honour of leading the
Sri Lanka Under-19 team and was a member of the champion Sri Lanka Navy
team, captained by his younger brother Yoshitha Rajapaksa.
Following his illustrious father’s footsteps, Namal had a passion for
social service and youth activities, With the intention of securing a
better future for thousands of youth across the island, Namal set up the
Tharunyata Hetak movement, which has now blossomed in to the premier
youth organisation in the country.
 Over the past few years, the Tharunyata Hetak played a leading and
memorable role under the leadership of Namal Rajapaksa, who has been a
dedicated and devoted leader. The premier youth organisation has engaged
in a wide range of activities ranging from youth activities, employment
opportunities, counselling, social responsibility projects, educational
drives, uplifting the standard of rural youth activities and sports
activities.
It was mainly due to the dynamic leadership of Namal Rajapaksa that
Tharunyata Hetak embarked on massive projects to give fresh hopes for
the youth in the country for a better and secure future.
Namal and his youthful team will be been instrumental in taking World
Cup cricket to the rural areas in Sri Lanka with the Suriyawewa
International Cricket Stadium, now being built in Hambantota, to host
the 2011 ICC World Cup teams.
Based on his impressive early performance as a youth leader with a
proven track record, Namal indeed, has a bright future ahead, serving
people in Sri Lanka. His efforts to uplift the standard of youth are
commendable.
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