Country needs viable manpower - President

To supplement booming economy:

Rasika Somarathna in Tangalle

President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted that the country needed viable manpower to supplement its booming economy and urged the youth to make themselves eligible for future employment opportunities at hand.

The President made these observations addressing a large crowd who had gathered to witness the declaring open of the new Hambantota District Youth Centre complex of the National Youth Council at Yayawatte, Tangalle yesterday.

He noted that the Government's on going massive development drive would present the countries youth with plenty of lucrative employment opportunities if they possessed the required knowledge and skills.

"For this purpose the Government plans to create an effective mechanism with the aid of technical, IT, agricultural education institutes, Youth Councils etc. to empower youth with knowledge/skills in line with requirements for modern day employment opportunities.

"However, our youth should be more aware at education opportunities at hand and also should lay emphasis in using them to widen their scope and enhance their eligibility, he added.

"The Centre built at a cost of Rs. 60 million provides youth with facilities for education and extra curricular activities including technical, sports, IT, aesthetic studies etc. The President who addressed the large gathering after he vested with the people the new complex said that the Government plans to come up with similar facilities in all districts in the country.

He said that the country today was attracting international and local investors alike with new harbours, airports, infrastructure facilities coming up in every corner of the island. Religious leaders, politicians, parents etc. should put up a collective effort to drive the youth along the correct path, he added.

Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa, G L Peiris, Mahinda Amaraweera along with other area politicians, clergy, students and the general public were present on the occasion.