Youth Parliament of Sri Lanka :

'This century of knowledge belongs to youth'

The skills of the rural youth in sports, arts and cultural activities will be enhanced by broadening and reorganizing the functions of the National Youth Services Council. I propose to enhance the knowledge and experience of youth by sending them on International Youth Exchange Programs.

-Mahinda Chintana, Vision for the Future

by Sureshni Pilapitiya

The 10th session of the Youth Parliament got off with a bang with many young aspiring politicians taking the floor. They debated their guts out trying to be heard in the cacophony of voices. The Youth Parliament was a more disciplined and subdued affair than Parliament proper.

The objectives of the Youth Parliament is to develop leadership skills of the Sri Lankan youth community and create a conducive atmosphere, for them to identify hidden talent and competencies.

To create social harmony, mutual understanding and reconciliation in the local youth community which was battered with 30 years of war, by the second decade of the 21st century and also to educate the Sri Lankan youth community on parliamentary proceedings, rules and regulations.

To develop practical knowledge in the youth community on issues and challenges in the political sphere. To develop skills in recognising things correctly, logical thinking and listening skills.

The National Youth Parliament consists of 412 members, of which 332 are elected by registered members of the NYSC Youth Clubs Network. Three members are appointed by nomination of the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development to support under-represented stakeholders:

One youth parliamentarian to represent indigenous communities, one member to represent people with disabilities and another member for ethnic minorities represent the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament. Any individual within the age group 18-39 can contest the elections for the Youth Parliament.

This is also an opportunity for those who represent different communities to speak on behalf of their communities ,the problems they have to face, increasing the welfare of the people and sanitary and infrastructure facilities.

It is also an opportunity for youth of different ethnicities, races and nationalities to get together as one and discuss about the country's development by putting their ideas into action.

The Mahinda Chinthana has specially focused it's concern about the youth and their future and has initiated programmes especially created for the youth. The 10th session of the Youth Parliament proceeded on similar lines as those of the Parliament of Sri Lanka . It was based on “Reformation to the social youth enterprise in accordance with contemporary social requirements is topical or not topical”. an interesting discussion was held on this subject and sometimes led to heated argument between the members of the Youth Parliament.

A youth parliamentarian said, "Earlier youth did not have much freedom but now they had the freedom and have developed academically as well as technologically". Youth parliamentarians showed the potential and ability to showcase their skills and talents as future leaders. The 'parliamentary secretary' and the 'speaker' were also present doing their duty with the much respected mace before them.

Kavisha Madushani , who played the role of a ' cabinet' representative , said people can have different opinions. According to her there's development where youth. were concerned. She said it was necessary to create youth societies in villages and schools. 'There are no youth societies in some villages', talented young people in villages should be introduced to the changes", she said. Officials who work with youth should understand their ideas and feelings. It was an occasion where one could gain immense knowledge of the capabilities of modern youth of the country.

The 10th session of the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament enabledng the young parliamentary members to express their ideas and views regarding social problems. It certainly will give an opportunity to those who are keen on joining this field to show their leadership abilities to the fullest extent.

The 10th session of Sri Lanka Youth Parliament was held on August 30 and 31 2014 at the Sri Lanka Youth Centre in Maharagama. The second day of the Youth Parliament was graced by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as chief guest and also parliamentarians J . R. P Sooriyapperuma, A. H. M Azwer, Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order, M,ajor General (Rtd) Nanda Mallawarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development , B. Wijerathne, Military Liaison Officer of the Defence Ministry Major General( Rtd) Palitha Fernando, Chairman and the Director General of the National Youth Services Council , attorney -at- law Lalith Piyum Perera, were among the guests.

“Leaders must select right people to achieve their goal” said Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa , addressing the gathering at the Youth Parliament in Maharagama. Over 412 Youth Parliament members participated. He also presented awards to several youth who had performed well at international athletic events.

Referring to the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said, ‘’ to be a successful leader , you must have a vision embedded with a mission to achieve the expected future target'’ . And speaking about the necessity of engaging in extra curricular activities he said that sports and other leadership building programs apart from theory-oriented education was essential.

The Sri Lanka Youth Parliament was set up to empower youth coming from different parts of the country and mould them into prominent political figures.

This gives them the opportunity to take up the role of decision makers and gives them first-hand experience in the democratic decision-making process. It also helps them to set themselves as future world leaders and make a change in the field of politics. The vision of the Sri Lanka Youth parliament is to convert the Sri Lankan Youth community to a responsible , respectable, and accountable democratic social group . The inaugural session was opened by president Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 20, 2013.