BY Ruwani Fonseka The youth of the country are depressed, helpless and are stuck in a position where they are unable to cope up with the current economic crisis, says Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Youth Vice Chairman Rehaan Jayawickreme. In conversation with The Morning today (11), Jayawickreme spoke about what is going on in the minds of the youth of the country given the current situation. "As the vice chairman of the SJB youth wing, I get to meet and talk to many youngsters. I have noticed, they are all depressed. The hashtags #toobroketolive #toobroketoleave makes more sense when they talk. When a person is 19 years old, all they want to do is leave school, get educated and get a job. Once that phase is over, the youngster's next ambition is to get a nice vehicle. The current import ban means that a new vehicle cannot be bought even if the money is available. The price of a motorcycle has increased drastically, which means that is out of the books as well. After that phase is over, the next thing a person wants is to get married and have children. With the food shortages, import bans and inflation, can a family be taken care of?," he stated. Jayawickreme went on to explain the next phase and mindset of the youth he has met. "The next phase after marriage and kids is the point when a person wants to build a nice home for his family. Is this possible with the price of cement nowadays? Even to purchase an apartment, the prices of real estate have gone up exorbitantly. So then a person loses hope of even owning a house. With that hope gone, their future is unpredictable. How do you expect the youth to stay and build this country when their future is not secure?," he added. Further, Jayawickreme explained the lack of literacy and political knowledge of the youth of today. "The youth lack the knowledge of basic politics and the fundamental rights they have. Very soon, floating votes will be available for the youth but they have to be educated on the policies and how it would make a difference in the country. I got into politics because I love my country and want to see a change, but today, the youth only think momentarily and want to vote for an individual just to get rid of another, which has been the same scenario for the last 20 plus years," Jayawickreme explained. Jayawickreme additionally mentioned about the need for empathy amongst the youth in Sri Lanka. "I wanted a change for my country. If I do not set an example and be the change, then who will take this country forward? The youth of Sri Lanka are not as patriotic as we were as youngsters, and they lack empathy for their own country. Once they have empathy and love for their nation, it is then that a nation will grow together," he concluded.