In a context where the country’s youth remain extremely sceptical about their future, President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently stated that Sri Lanka should look into solutions that suit the next 25 years, to create a digitally developed future that will benefit the younger generation. Moreover, he emphasised the importance of youth participation in finding meaningful solutions to the prevailing crisis in the country. 

It goes without saying that a country's youth play an extremely important and sometimes unique role in its social and economic development. In Sri Lanka's case, a significant share of the burden of reviving the economy lies upon the shoulders of the youth, and as such, the President acknowledging the importance of the youth's role in development is a timely act. However, we need to look at whether such hopes could bear fruit in reality, because the youth see the Government not as a friend but as an enemy, and the country as a place that is no longer youth-friendly.

The youth started losing faith in the current administration first because of the manner in which the Government and its law enforcement and defence forces personnel dealt with the “aragalaya” movement, which comprised largely of young people; and secondly due to the impacts of the economic crisis on them. It is noteworthy that among the young groups that lost trust in the present administration in the context of the “aragalaya” is the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), which is made up of a segment of the young population that has a huge potential to contribute to economic recovery. 

At the same time, the young population in general is not convinced that they have a bright future in Sri Lanka due to the lack of progress in political reforms, policy reforms that further increase the economic burden on the general public, job insecurity, and the lack of opportunities for youth. The result is a significant number of young people seeking to leave the country at the first opportunity that they get.

Therefore, the President’s statement is unlikely to instil any confidence among the youth. The President further said that despite the economic and political situation in the country, he has decided to serve the voice of the youth and create a better future for them. In this context, before seeking the youth’s contribution, the Government has a lot to do to convince a new generation that the Government is serious about creating a youth-friendly environment and is capable of putting their efforts to good use. The only way to do so is by taking tangible measures to ensure the rule of law and democracy, taking scientific and people-friendly policy decisions, and initiating progressive political reforms that could develop Sri Lanka as a democracy.

Introducing regulations to force the youth to remain in the country and expecting the youth to settle for the Government’s unscientific, politically driven economic decisions will only make the youth want to leave the country. The economic war cannot be fought with a young population that is forced to take flight. Instead, the Executive must focus on winning the confidence of the youth by being a Government that is worthy of their trust and support.