Unemployed university graduates will be offered with suitable employment opportunities this year irrespective of their political affiliations, religious or ethnic groups, Higher Education Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said.

He was speaking at a meeting of undergraduates in the Kurunegala District on Saturday.

The Minister said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have given these instructions considering the plight of unemployed graduates in the country.

“Every educated youth is a valuable resource to the country and this nation. The talents and skills of these educated youth have to be used by the authorities. and they should be given opportunities to serve the country. Their contributions should be taken for the country’s future progress. Billions of rupees have been spent by the Governments to educate these graduates. The school education system and the University education system in Sri Lanka have to be modified and updated to suit to the present global career needs. Then, all graduates who pass out from state universities would be able to get job opportunities easily locally and globally in accordance with their professional skills and vocational abilities,” the minister said.

He added that the Government always considers the youth population of the country as an asset and not as a burden to the motherland.