As per the definition of the United Nations Organization, ‘youth’ is defined as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years. (https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/youth). Furthermore, according to the definition of Common Wealth, ‘youth’ is defined as those persons between the age of 15 and 29. (https://thecommonwealth.org/our-work/youth)

Youth community represents a significant percentage of the population in Sri Lanka. In the year 2023, the youth population between the ages of 15 – 29 in Sri Lanka will be approximately 5.125 million, constituting 23.6% of the total population. (Department of census) This 5.125 million represents various segments of the youth population in Sri Lanka, including school children, undergraduates, students of technical and vocational training institutes, employed and unemployed youth, youth with disabilities, inmates, and indigenous youth. Therefore, it is crucial to harness the collective strength of the youth community to equip them with the skills needed to actively participate in national development, fostering a society characterized by equity and equality.

Approximately 330,000 students are being annually admitted to Grade 1 at the general intake in Sri Lanka and 310,000 students of those students sit for the G.C.E. (O/L) examination. Out of the 263,933 students who sat for the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in the year 2022, only 166,938 students were eligible for university entrance. (https://www.doenets.lk/statistics) Currently, it has become a trend for a significant number of youth to pursue overseas education. 28% of total youth population is unemployed and approximately 700,000 youth are categorized as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), indicating a lack of proper education, employment, or training opportunities. The biggest challenge we face today is developing youth who perceive an uncertain future due to lack of proper education or professional training into skilled and disciplined human resources.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Employment was established for the first time in 1978. Under subsequent governments, the subject of youth affairs was integrated into various ministries to empower and develop the youth as follows;

1989 - Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
1994 - Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Rural Development
1998 - Ministry of Samurdhi, Youth Affairs and Sports
2000 - Ministry of Youth Affairs
2001 - Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
2004 - Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
2010 - Ministry of Youth Affairs
2010 - Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development
2015 - Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs
2017 - Ministry of Youth Affairs, Project Management and Southern Development
2019 - Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs.
2020 - State Ministry of Youth Affairs
2021 - Ministry of Youth and Sports
2022 - Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs

Since 1989, various governments have made lots of policy initiatives aimed at the development of youth in the country. Youth Affairs Division will mainly carry out functions such as for the guidance of taking necessary policy actions focusing on the empowerment of the youth community relevant to the national development, implementation of the programmes as well as projects and follow up. Under that, providing guidance to manipulate Youth Corps (YC), National Youth Services Council (NYSC) and Small Enterprises Development Division (SEDD) as well as required coordinating affairs is also being carried out by this division. Youth development programmes and numerous activities are being implemented by these institutions through their island wide training center network under the policy guidance of the Ministry.

Sports Development which was initiated as a small unit during the mid sixties (60) was established as a sports division under the Ministry of People lised Services in 1966. The Department of Sports was instigated 1968.

Organization Chart Ministry of Sports