The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has warned that independent and politically aware youth across the country are prepared to launch an “Anura Go Gama” campaign in protest against the growing political interference in grassroots youth movements.
Speaking at a press briefing this week, Convenor of the Anti-Corruption Force and former Provincial Councillor Niroshan Padukka accused the Government of undermining the independence of youth societies that have operated under the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for more than four decades.
“Young people from across the country are stepping up against the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the National People’s Power (NPP), and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,” Padukka said, alleging that political ideologies are being forcefully introduced into traditionally non-partisan youth structures.
He further claimed that attempts to politicise village-level youth societies represent a betrayal of the aspirations of the nation’s young people.
“The Government is trying to instill the ideologies of the NPP and JVP into the minds of the youth,” Padukka charged, adding that Sri Lanka’s youth are more radical and aware than ever before, and would resist such efforts.
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