Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Proposes 'Political Academy' to Empower Youth

COLOMBO — Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekera has announced a proposal to establish a "Political Academy" aimed at improving political literacy among Sri Lanka's youth.

Speaking at the launch of the "YoLoGo (Youth in Local Governance) - Youth Local Government" project in the Western Province, the Deputy Minister said the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will intervene to increase youth representation in decision-making bodies.

He also mentioned that discussions are underway to connect young people in youth clubs across the island with local government institutions. The plan includes providing youth in regional and district federations access to the Regional and District Coordinating Committees.

The "YoLoGo" project, funded by the Government of Canada, aims to establish Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) in 49 local government bodies in the Western Province.

The initiative's launch took place at the main auditorium of the Western Provincial Council. The event was attended by Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh, Deputy Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Ruwan Senarath, Western Province Governor Hanees Yusuf, and Western Province Commissioner Sagarika Jayasundara.