Caste discrimination stifles progress - Dullas

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Talents and skills of Sri Lankans are restricted by caste discrimination, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Participating to the 50th anniversary celebrations of Don Bosco Technical College, Negombo, Minister Alahapperuma said most of the skills based jobs have been are being reserved for privileged castes.

"With these barriers we cannot achieve success in the skills development sector. Caste discrimination hinders progress," the Minister said

"The caste system was challenged by Europe in the 18th century. Most people are afraid to speak about this in public. But as the Skills Development Minister, I am not afraid to speak about this." the minister said.

He also said Sri Lanka faced three youth uprisings within three decades. One uprising was from the North and the other two are from the South.

Our inability to understand the problems and difficulties faced by youth led to these uprisings. Without harping on the past, the Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry has taken concrete measures to uplift the status of youth for the country's betterment.

"Cabinet approval has been granted to establish 25 university colleges for technical training island wide and five of them will be

established with the support of the private sector. Don Bosco is one of them," the minister said.

Don Bosco Technical College Principal and Director Fr.Antoney Pinto, Deputy Minister of Fisheries Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and Chief Opposition Organizer Joseph Michael Perera also participated to the occasion.