NYSC beacon of hope for jobless - Minister Amaraweera

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama special corr.

The National Youth Services Council (NYSC) has been a tower of strength and a beacon of hope for school leavers and jobless youth, said Water Supply Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

The Minister made these comments addressing a function Yovun Sammana Ulela at the Cultural Centre at Ranna.

The Minister said various training programmes launched by the NYSC paved way for the jobless youth to get State and private sector jobs and also engage themselves in self-employment.

The Hambantota district office which did not posses a building of their own will get a fully-fledged building at Yaya Watta, Tangalle. The construction work of the building will come to an end in 2009.

"We have been unable to provide State sector jobs to youth because there are no vacancies in the State sector for the provision of jobs."

"The private sector that has been identified as the engine of growth has the maximum number of vacancies.

But most of the youth do not possess necessary qualifications to apply for such jobs."

"Computer literacy has become a must today to obtain a job. Therefore with the vocational training, computer literacy also must be followed." The Minister of Water Supply further said that the paper factory which remained closed for a considerable period will be re-opened soon.

This was closed down due to mismanagement. It will soon become an income generator and a money spinner.

Assistant Director, Hambantota district NYSC M.D. Karunadasa said "Yovun Sammana Ulela was started in 1976.

The NYSC has rendered yeoman service to the youth community.

The youth at grass roots level reached the national level in various spheres exhibiting their stalls and performances.

SPC Member H.W. Gunasena, President's Co-ordinator Wasantha Gunasekera, Tangalle Assistant D.S. Kanchana Thalpawila and SSP Tangalle Division Neil Daluwatta were present.