Youth contribution must for development- Dr Sarath Amunugama

Doors are now opened for misled in the North and East to have a close rapport with the South, enabling them to share knowledge and thoughts and to enhance their awareness on many subjects including information technology, said Finance and Planning Deputy Minister and Senior Advisor to President Dr Sarath Amunugama.

He said the contribution of the resourceful youth is very vital for the development of the country, delivering the key note address at the Commonwealth Youth Ministers' Meeting held in Colombo to review the mid-term Youth Affairs Strategic Plan.

Sri Lanka has been identified as a country forging ahead towards accelerated development. The economic development, progress achieved in information technology sector and the valuable services rendered by the youth were contributory factors to achieve the country's development targets. Especially with the end of terrorism and dawning of peace, the youth in every corner of this country has a paramount duty to make this country prosperous, said Dr Amunugama.

To accrue constructive participation and receive an efficient service from youth, they must be provided with training facilities in every sector. Sri Lanka is having a high literacy rate which proves that the country can anticipate a knowledgeable generation in the future, he said.

The commonwealth youth program is an international development agency in which the head office is located at London.

Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and members representing Samoa and Papua New Guinea - Pacific region, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (Chair) - Asia Region, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados - Caribbean Region, Zambia and Nigeria-Africa Region participated at the meeting.