Forcing youth to migrate to Australia: NP Minister

Northern Province Education and Agriculture Minister Ponnuthurai Iyngaranesan is reported to have told Australian Embassy officials that the lack of employment opportunities and security in the North had compelled the youth to risk their lives and embark on an uncertain journey to Australia.He requested the Australian Government to persuade the Sri Lankan Government to withdraw the army from the North.

Elaborating on the issues discussed with the Embassy officials at the Northern Province local government office on Friday, the Provincial Minister told the media that it was the Army which ruled the people in the North even five years after ending the war.

“The Government says it has closed security posts and small camps and reduced the number of the army personnel stationed in the North but the truth is that the army is meddling in all civilian matters and interfering in Industrial enterprises. Because of this, our young people are being deprived of employment opportunities,” he said

He asked Australia to persuade the SL Govt. to withdraw the army from the North

The minister said though more than 60 % of the people in the North were directly or indirectly involved in agriculture on nearly 6,400 acres of land in Valikamam North which has the most fertile lands have been acquired by the army.

“Only if these lands are handed back can job opportunities be increased” he said and added that it was true the Government had released young people who were detained after training them to lead a new life, but the reality is that even with that training they were unable to find an income-yielding job.

“Society is also unwilling to welcome the former combatants because of fear that they will be arrested again.

These uncertainties coupled with the lack of faith in a safe and secure future are forcing the youth to undertake the risky travel to Australia” he added.