Boosting National Progress Through Strengthening Youth Organizations, Including Girl Guides

President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his dedication to enhancing youth organizations, such as the Girl Guide Association, Scout Association, Cadet Corps, and Youth Corps, in all aspects. His goal is to encourage substantial contributions from young people towards the future of the country.

The President emphasized that the government has already set aside the necessary funds for youth programs. With the strengthening of the country’s economy, any remaining funds will be directed towards further supporting the youth.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered these statements during the President’s Guide Award Ceremony 2022/2023 held today (31) at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, where he awarded the President’s Awards to members of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association.

The President also revealed plans to provide necessary assistance to increase the membership of the Girl Guides Association from 75,000 to 150,000.

He stressed that youth organizations, including the Girl Guides Association, Scout Association, Cadet Corps, and Youth Corps, can play a crucial role in contributing to drug prevention programs.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe oversaw the presentation of President’s Guide Awards to 2,000 young talents.

Dr. Shanti Wilson, President of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association, presented a special souvenir to President Wickremesinghe.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the gathering further stated,

“I have a deep appreciation of Guiding, with several family members actively involved in the Association. We must continue to develop the Girl Guides Association. A request has been made for a new building for the Girl Guide Association, and steps will be taken to address this need. The government has allocated funds for the Girl Guide Association, Scout Association, the Cadet Corps, and Youth Corps, with additional funding for other organizations expected. It is hoped that the government will assign separate funds for the implementation of various associations.

The government’s ability to allocate funds is a result of the improved financial situation. When I assumed office, the government was in a dire financial state. We have now overcome those challenges. We have ceased funding loss-making state corporations and have also halted foreign loans. Our debt has significantly reduced, allowing the government to have surplus funds. I intend to utilize this money to support the youth.

Currently, a thorough education program is in the works, necessitating substantial funding in the upcoming years. We also plan to allocate the essential resources and funding for the healthcare sector.

Education should not be limited to textbooks. Children require new opportunities for advancement, and we are committed to investing in those opportunities. We aim to elevate the Girl Guide Association in all aspects, doubling its membership from 75,000 to 150,000. The government is dedicated to providing the required assistance.

These organizations have the potential to achieve significant milestones. Discussions with the anti-narcotics committee emphasized the necessity of more scouting and guiding associations and cadet corps in schools, which can greatly aid the anti-narcotics initiative.

Moreover, the government is ready to extend support for setting up scout and Guides camps at the district and national levels. I urge you to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to implement these programs.”

Present at this event were Secretary of the Ministry of Education Thilaka Jayasundara, the President of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association Dr. Shanti Wilson, Chief Commissioner of the Association Kusantha Herat and the International Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Association Janaprith Fernando.