Sri Lanka launches the ‘Next Sri Lanka’ initiative to empower 50,000 youth from low-income families with free vocational training, NVQ certification, and business support—paving the way for employment in tourism and entrepreneurship.
The Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with several government ministries, has officially launched the ambitious ‘Next Sri Lanka’ programme, a national skills development initiative designed to uplift 50,000 youth from 200,000 low-income families by equipping them with vocational qualifications and employment opportunities.
Scheduled to run from July 15 to July 23, the programme will kick off with nationwide vocational guidance sessions hosted at Divisional Secretariats across the island. These sessions aim to identify and guide eligible youth toward secure career pathways in key growth sectors, particularly tourism and entrepreneurship.
Each selected participant will be granted a full scholarship worth Rs. 50,000, funded by the Samurdhi Department, to pursue National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 training from recognized institutions. These certifications will offer a direct progression route to NVQ Level 4, enhancing long-term career potential.
One of the programme’s core goals is to address the growing labour demand in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, where over 20,000 vacancies are currently unfilled. By targeting underprivileged youth and offering them industry-relevant training, the government aims to fill this gap while reducing unemployment in economically vulnerable communities.
In addition to vocational training, the initiative includes entrepreneurship development for those wishing to start their own businesses. Selected candidates will receive business training, as well as access to low-interest soft loans and advisory support to launch micro-enterprises and self-employment ventures.
The ‘Next Sri Lanka’ programme marks a bold step toward inclusive economic development by turning government social assistance into sustainable economic empowerment equipping the next generation with tools to thrive in Sri Lanka’s evolving job market.
