• Those under the age of 35 account for 4.4 percent of MPs  in Parliament

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

SJB MP Imtiaz Bakir Markar yesterday proposed a change in the electoral system under which he suggested making legal provisions to ensure 25 percent youth representation in Parliament and other elected institutions. 

“ It should be ensured that 25 percent youth representation is assured in Parliament, provincial councils and local bodies.,” Markar said while highlighting that those who are under the age of 35 account for 4.4 percent of MP’s in Parliament.

“ The youth commission which was appointed after the youth unrest revealed that the youth voice need to be heard while they should be given an opportunity of playing a role in the decision making process in the country,” the MP said.   

He recalled that this was one of the major areas focused by the youth commission while the international youth convention also stressed the same idea. He said Lakshman Jayawardene headed this youth commission while the late educationist R.I.T. Alles and even Professor G.L Peiris played a role in it.   

“Youth unrest in the South and in the North was a result of them not having a future and their voices not being heard. The youth have lost faith in politics and political parties because of this reason,” he added.   

• Lakshman Jayawardene headed the youth commission while the late educationist R.I.T. Alles and even Professor G.L Peiris played a role in it