President Mahinda Rajapaksa today pledged to support the Commonwealth Youth Delegates “every inch of the way,” during Sri Lanka’s tenure as Chairman of the Commonwealth, and also to provide constructive and meaningful opportunities to realize the objectives of the Commonwealth principles.
Delivering his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013, in Hambantota today (November 10), he stated that terrorism that plagued the country for nearly three decades, dealt the biggest blow to Sri Lanka’s youth.
“Now take the case of a child soldier or a youth ... forcibly recruited by the terrorists. Those children and youth lost the opportunity of enjoying the beauty of childhood ... or in the case of youth, experiencing the transition to adulthood,” he said.
The President stated that Sri Lanka’s youth have therefore been deprived of many valuable opportunities, during this long period and that those children and youth, forcibly recruited by the terrorists and who surrendered, after rehabilitation was speedily freed to the society.
“I strongly believe the society would help further refine them ... and bring them back to the mainstream as time goes on,” he said.
Rajapaksa expressed “immense happiness” to see an ex-LTTE combatant, a representative from the indigenous communities and representatives of disabled young people included in the Sri Lankan delegation to the forum.
“It is noteworthy that we abide by the Commonwealth principles of restoring human dignity and equality among human beings in the Commonwealth,” he said.
He further said that during Sri Lanka’s tenure of guiding the Commonwealth for the next two years, they will make best efforts to provide constructive and meaningful opportunities to the Commonwealth Youth Delegates to interact with their Sri Lankan counterparts in realizing the objectives of the Commonwealth principles.
“This we do, in the noble hope that future success of the Commonwealth rests with the continued commitment and contributions of these young people,” Rajapaksa said.
He said Sri Lanka will have the privilege of hosting the World Conference on Youth in collaboration with the UN in May 2014, which will be the first in Asia. The President invited all Commonwealth Nations and those who are outside the Commonwealth to participate in the global Conference, which he says “will help us shape the future of our youth.”
“You have my assurance that during Sri Lanka’s tenure as Chairman of the Commonwealth, I will stand with you and support you every inch of the way,” he added.
