'Vast development drive in country'

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The country is experiencing a massive development drive, covering 36,000 villages. The Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry is conducting a large number of development activities in the fields of vocational training and skills development, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa participating in a ceremony to hand over houses to youths at Maradagahamula, Diulapitiya recently.

The Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry and the National Youth Services Council completed the construction of 332 houses spending Rs 350 million and handed over them to youths under the Thurunu Vasarak- Gamata Niwasak programme .

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma participating in the ceremony said previous governments neglected youths' issues. "This is the only government which gave a hearing to the youths' woes," he said.