Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Parliamentary caucus seeks to boost youth engagement in politics
A parliamentary caucus has convened discussions aimed at strengthening young people's participation in Sri Lanka's political processes. The initiative reflects growing concerns about youth disengagement from formal politics.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Members of a parliamentary caucus have held substantive discussions on mechanisms to enhance youth involvement in the country's political sphere, signaling legislative commitment to broadening democratic participation among younger demographics.
The caucus focused on identifying barriers that prevent young people from engaging more actively in political institutions and processes. Participants examined various approaches used in comparable democracies to foster meaningful youth participation, ranging from dedicated parliamentary representation to youth councils and mentorship programmes.
Youth political participation has emerged as a key concern for policymakers, with demographic trends suggesting younger voters increasingly disengage from traditional political institutions. The parliamentary discussions represent an effort to reverse this trend through structural and institutional reforms.
The caucus is expected to develop recommendations on how parliament and political parties can create pathways for young people to assume greater roles in decision-making and governance. Such measures could include legislative reforms, party-level initiatives, and community engagement programmes designed to make politics more accessible and relevant to the youth demographic.