More jobs for qualified youths - minister

Christie FERNANDO-Chilaw special correspondent

With the far-sighted policies and vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, golden opportunities are open for youths who are keen to pursue higher studies. The government has also planned to create more jobs for young people who qualify to enter the Ocean University, Fisheries, Electricity, Housing and Construction Provincial Minister Sanath Nishantha Perera said.

He was addressing the fishing community youths who had just left school and participated at a special Youth Camp organised by the Puttalam District National Youth Services Council office, Chilaw held recently at the Palakuda Government school, Kalpitiya.

The provincial minister said the Ocean University was opened when the President was the Fisheries Minister. He said as the children of traditional fishermen, they had not obtained a training from a recognised university.

This situation should be changed like in other countries where they can follow higher studies in a university and obtain degrees to procure enviable jobs in better positions, he added.

"With a certificate obtained from the Ocean University, the icon of a traditional fisherman will drastically change to a fisherman of status in society. They can imbibe new technology and know-how available in fisheries at the Ocean University to utilise it profitably in their profession as reputable fishermen," he said.