Preparing youth for tomorrow’s politics

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena,  Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake at the orientation workshop held at the Water’s Edge, Battaramulla. Pictures by Chinthaka Kumarasinghe

The youth of Sri Lanka are the future leaders and guardians of democracy in the country. They will also be the future Members of Parliament. Today in Sri Lanka, we are all searching for hope. The nation’s hope lies in our youth. In order to promote youth participation in governance, the Parliament of Sri Lanka has now made Youth Representation in Sectoral Oversight Committees a reality. An orientation workshop was held at the Water’s Edge, Battaramulla, last Saturday in collaboration with the United Nations Development (UNDP) programme, to familiarize these youth representatives with Parliamentary and committee procedures and practices. This is a wonderful learning opportunity to prepare the youth for tomorrow’s politics.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that in 25 years when the country has reached the path of success, the youth could proudly claim that, “It was the step taken by us today that led to the system change which paved the way for the country’s success.”

The President mentioned that the opportunity has been provided to the youth to contribute to the journey towards a developed Sri Lanka in 2048. He noted that providing the youth representatives the chance to participate in the Sectoral Oversight Committees of the Parliament is a novel approach and emphasized that it has not yet been done in any country in the world.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the Youth Representation in Sectoral Oversight Committees workshop.

The President also expressed his confidence that this is the system change that the youth demanded and that they will take maximum advantage of this opportunity.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa also expressed their views during the occasion.

Following the publication of a newspaper advertisement, these youth representatives were chosen for the Sectoral Oversight Committees related to 17 subject areas established in Parliament. Accordingly, among the applications received by the Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, nearly 550 eligible youth representatives between 18-35 years were invited to this workshop.

Speaking further President Ranil Wickremesinghe said;

Today there are 535 youth Parliamentary representatives present on this occasion. Today you all come here to participate in the functions of the Parliament; not as an observer, but as young representatives in the Parliamentary Committees. I think this has happened for the first time in the world.

Only the MPs can participate in a Parliamentary Committee, a US Senate Committee, or a Congressional Committee. But under the standing orders made by our Prime Minister, Speaker and Leader of the Opposition, you have been given the opportunity to participate as youth representatives in the Parliamentary Committees.

As mentioned by the Prime Minister, apart from the report of the members of the Committee, you too get the opportunity to include your views in it. We only see debates and Q&A sessions inside the Parliamentary Chamber. But today the function of any Parliament is done through Committees. There are many Committees such as Oversight Committees and Finance Committees.

If we approve funds for certain work, there are Oversight Committees to look into the spending of those funds. There are Oversight Committees to look into the implementation of law and there are also a number of Committees like the Committee on Public Finance. Therefore, you get the opportunity to participate in all activities in the Parliament other than speaking, voting and attending the Chamber. This has happened for the first time in the world.

When we started this programme, some said that this is useless and a waste of time. Some had a big question as to what this was. But a group of youth submitted their names fearlessly. We have selected the best 535 of them for this purpose.

After all of you participate in this programme and make this programme a success, we can select the others for the next programme. Although selecting youth representatives was not a problem this time, it will become a big challenge in the future as we expect more applications for the next programme. It is on these programmes that we should focus our attention on.

You have got this opportunity today. Only a few people in history got this opportunity. I was lucky enough to get a Deputy Minister position in Parliament at the age of 28. Before that, as I came to the Parliament with then the Leader of Opposition Mr. Jayewardene, I was able to know how the Parliament functioned. But many do not get that opportunity. Today you have got that opportunity. So I would like to say to you, to get the full advantage of it.

How did this system come about? Last year there was a big confusion in this country. It was at that time that I discussed with the former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya as to how we could answer this issue.

There was no answer to confusions before this. All 225 Members of the Parliament were asked to be thrown into the Diyawanna Lake. Doing so will only harm the environment. Anyway, other Party Secretaries will appoint another 225 here. So it is not really a solution.

Burning houses or surrounding the Parliament and trying to capture it, are not solutions either.

There were issues then. Why did we go bankrupt? What happened to our economy? Those questions have to be answered. When I was a child, Sri Lanka was second only to Japan. But where are we today? These issues cannot be solved like this.

Accordingly, Karu Jayasuriya and I discussed together how we can change this system. He was the one who later called me and said that we will include youth representatives in the Oversight Committees and other Committees. I told him to give me a report about it and I gave it to the Speaker. Whether you take the party leaders or the Cabinet, now all of you are included in this. We should especially thank him for submitting this proposal.

I don’t think anyone else will have the opportunity you have. When the economy had collapsed, the country had gone bankrupt and when everyone thinks that this system cannot be continued, a major restructuring is being carried out. Our economy is being restructured, costs are being cut, and new systems are on the way. Now the fuel is distributed based on price formulas. At the same time, many of our corporations have to be restructured. We are thinking of a new education system.

In particular, the Government has planned to bring 05 laws on climate change and several laws on women’s rights. There are many other new laws underway. Therefore you will get the opportunity to discuss these and express your views.

You will get to know how the money is spent, why the money is allocated to certain subjects and why money is not allocated to other subjects. There is currently a Research Department in Parliament to help you. In addition, we will establish a new office called the Parliamentary Budget Office. Support can be obtained from other Ministries. We have planned to convert the J. R. Jayewardene Centre into a political education institution. Then you will get the opportunity to take full advantage of this.

As Members of the Parliament, as Chairpersons, we must do that work. We never turned this into a conflict of opinion in the Parliament Chamber. In some cases, there were conflicts between parties and MPs. The Chairpersons and Councillors of this Oversight Committees have a duty to hold those meetings, as well as participate in them and to discuss not only the daily affairs but important matters.

I suggest to the Speaker that these Committees should meet every month. If the Committee meetings are not held, the Chairperson should be inquired. If MPs do not attend the meetings, it should be looked into. If they fail to attend for two months, change them. Otherwise, the opportunities available to this group will be lost.

Take full advantage of this opportunity. This is a historic moment. For the first time, a Parliament appoints representatives like this. This has not happened anywhere. Our Parliament is also an old Parliament. Its history dates back to 1835. How many Parliaments are older than ours? They are the Parliaments in UK, USA, Denmark and Switzerland.

Various programmes have been carried out in this Parliament. Today there is a new system. The Commonwealth Parliamentary group can also be informed about this initiative and they can also be invited to come. And I will also inform the International Parliamentary Union. We can get support from the UK Parliament and US Congress to continue this programme. Those responsibilities have been entrusted to you.

Members of Parliament and youth representatives should join together and carry out this work. We will not end this work here.

How can we become a developed country? We cannot always remain to be a developing country. We want a better future. For that, there should be a good economy and the law should be implemented. Give your views on it.

In particular, Karu Jayasuriya is bringing the Jana Sabha Act to establish a Jana Sabha in every Grama Niladhari division. That would be another special opportunity for youth to participate.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that this is a step into the future when it comes to democracy in Sri Lanka. This is a new dawn for the youth. He added: “We are giving the youth an opportunity to lead and make themselves heard. This path that you, the youth representatives, take is of great importance. You will be doing this country a great service. Do not get caught up in narrow ideologies. This is a gift to you. It will be one of the most important decisions you will make in life. Be committed to this path because our country will face many challenges as in the past. It will change your lives and it will change the country. Be strong and be brave. The youth will be involved in making laws, coming up with new policies, reinventing existing policies and revamping existing laws. I must say that the UNDP has supported our Parliament. So this is a new chapter in our political history. Our Government is committed when it comes to providing the youth with opportunities. This is one such initiative,” said Prime Minister Gunawardena.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa added that in politics it is important to walk the talk. “Today in politics unfortunately political leaders say one thing and do the very opposite. There is a huge gap here. As the Opposition we think that today’s event is something that is very positive. I am very optimistic about the appointing of these youth representatives, and I believe this can have a very beneficial effect on our country. I think this can help Sri Lanka come out of this bankruptcy. I feel that if you look at the world, what we are doing in this country, the appointing of these youth representatives, is a stroke of genius. If you look at the world, this is a wonderful idea and one of the best plans I have seen or heard of. The participation of the youth in politics is something that is essential, which is why we need to look beyond our differences such as caste, religion and economic status. I remember the speech made by Martin Luther King. He said – “I have a dream that one day out in the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” That is what we need to believe in Sri Lanka. Unity and Equality. We must unite for the common good. That is what I think these youth representatives should understand.

UNDP Resident Representative Azusa Kubota pointed out that the UNDP firmly believes in democracy and it recognizes the importance of the legislature. The UNDP has been supporting the Sri Lankan Parliament and always tries and promotes equal representation of women in Parliament globally.

“I am deeply humbled to be present here at this orientation programme. In more than 60 countries the UNDP supports Parliament strengthening initiatives. We believe in the powerful role played by the legislature in fostering democracy and promoting sustainable and inclusive development.”

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stated that the event brought him great joy, as it was a turning point in the political history of Sri Lanka. “This event is a first in history. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has always been concerned about youth, their welfare and about their participation in politics. He has always understood that the views of the youth need to be considered when governing a country. Our country has faced some difficult times in the recent past. That is no secret. We have faced a civil war. We faced a terrible economic crisis. We faced a shortage of fuel and had to face power cuts. We also faced a shortage of gas and essential items. That resulted in the Aragalaya. Some people resorted to burning down houses. In the end no one really won. We have now gone through that nightmare. This is the time to plan for our future. That is why youth engagement in politics is so important.”

Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake called the event a momentous occasion in the history of Sri Lankan politics. “We want to help you and prepare you to enter politics. This is because your representation in politics is essential. You will one day occupy the seats of power in Parliament. By being a part of the Sectoral Oversight Committees of Parliament you will receive insight into the handling of power. The youth will one day become leaders who will be guardians of democracy.”