29.7.2008

H.E The President Mahinda RajapaksaThe Government is committed to restoring and uplifting the livelihood of the people of North and East, after bringing the benefits of democracy to those whose lives were defined by conflict, weapons and destruction over two decades, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

In this respect, the Minister of Vocational and Technical Training has initiated a development programme to provide vocational training to the youth in the East and North of Sri Lanka. The Ministry expects to conduct and promote this programme as a part of the curriculum in the school education system at the national level.

This process, implemened through a community based system, is expected to boost the overall human resource development in the country. The implemented programme will also cater the future demands of the 3,50,000 school leavers in the island.

Several ministries, including the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, are expected to contribute towards the success of this programme, the first phase of which will be launched in the Puttlam District.

President Rajapaksa also noted that the programme is not only aimed at training youth only for local employment but will also assist them in seeking foreign employment.