NPP now on rampage to grab youth clubs, verdict today

By Yohan Perera

Much focus is expected to be made on National Youth Conference 2025, which is to be held today in Colombo, as a result of intense allegations by the opposition that youth clubs, which are formed under the National Youth Council, are heavily politicised by the ruling NPP.

Tense situations were reported when clubs were formed in some areas, while former President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the Minister in charge of Youth Affairs and Sports not to allow political parties to gain control of youth clubs. Some members said they were chased out of the clubs to enable NPP members to be appointed as office bearers.

“The subject Minister should call all parties for a discussion and resolve the crisis in the youth clubs. We have heard that there are going to be island-wide protests against the politicisation of youth clubs. The clubs will decline and die a natural death if the present crisis is not solved soon. 

Therefore, I propose meetings between office bearers of youth clubs, other youth who face issues and the subject Minister to resolve the crisis amicably,” Wickremesinghe said.

Responding to former President’s claims on youth clubs, Youth Affairs Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said the National Youth Council and the youth clubs were used for political agendas during their time and that the government is only trying to free the National Youth Council and the youth clubs from political mechanisms and provide opportunities for the talented youth to come forward.

The Deputy Minister said the National Youth Council was used for political agendas during the last Presidential Election, where millions of its funds were used to boost Wickremesinghe’s image.

He said Rs. 536 million from the National Youth Council was used for musical shows targeting the last Presidential Election and the Attorney General’s report has stated that there has been a fraud of Rs. 68 million.

Meanwhile, one of the former Chairpersons of the National Youth Council, who did not wish to be named, said the Director General of the Youth Centre has the right to prepare rules and regulations and get them approved at the national youth conference.

Youth Clubs were formed under the National Youth Services Act No 69 of 1979. The National Youth Council was established under this act to enable youth to develop their skills, including artistic skills and vocational training skills. The Council can be monitored by the Auditor General as per the Act. The Youth Council can employ public servants. Whoever is employed ceases to be a public servant once he or she is recruited by the council.          

Sajith ready to form government with progressive MPs from NPP

MP Perera said the effort by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe may be to put Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya into difficulties and show that she is an incapable person.