Govt aims to create ‘Smart Citizens’ for future world: Minister

Colombo, May 14 (Daily Mirror) - The government’s primary objective is to create “smart citizens” capable of facing the challenges of the future world, Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Prof. Chandana Abeyrathne said.

The Minister made these remarks while addressing the certificate awarding ceremony of the 2026-I batch of young cadets at the National Youth Corps Training Center in Walahena on May 12.

The inaugural batch completed a formal training programme focused on Information Technology, English language proficiency and life skills development aimed at empowering youth professionally and socially. Prof. Abeyrathne personally presented certificates to those who successfully completed the programme.

Speaking on the government’s “New Path of Educational Reform,” the Minister said students would be given the opportunity to choose either academic or vocational education streams after the national examination at the end of Grade 9.

He stressed the importance of producing professionally skilled individuals alongside university graduates and said the government has allocated funds to establish 50 new technical colleges or upgrade existing institutions across the country.

Commenting on the widely discussed concept of “system change,” the Minister said meaningful change should begin within citizens themselves.

“The system does not change simply because individuals fell into the Beira Lake. If citizens strengthen themselves internally and intervene responsibly, the country can be directed towards a better path under any administration,” he said.

Addressing the issue of drug abuse among schoolchildren aged between 12 and 17, the Minister claimed that the government had achieved a 90 percent success rate in control efforts, but said that complete eradication depended on young people firmly rejecting drug use.

He also encouraged youth to engage in literature, music, arts and sports to develop balanced personalities and urged them to focus on improving their “healthy life years” in order to build a society free from non-communicable diseases.

The event was attended by Rev. Fr. Jude Nicholas, Ajith Gihan, Captain K.M.D. Katugampala, local political representatives, government officials and parents.