Dinindu Saman Kumara Hennayake assumed duties as the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs today (October 13) at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The ceremony was followed by a discussion between the ministers and ministry staff.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage said that what had changed were the responsibilities, not the positions, emphasizing that the ministry’s work continues under the same vision. He noted that former Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara effectively implemented the National People’s Power policy in the youth affairs sector and that the new Deputy Minister will continue to uphold and advance that policy.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating that ministry officers already understand how the new ministers operate, having gained experience over the past year. He added that the government’s mission is not based on a five-year term but on the collective responsibility to serve the country for the benefit of all citizens.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Hennayake said his goal is to take the Youth Affairs Division a few steps further from where the former deputy minister left it. He pledged to work with full dedication to make institutions such as the National Youth Services Council and the National Youth Corps spaces that truly serve the common youth of Sri Lanka.
Former Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, now serving as Deputy Minister of Urban Development, expressed gratitude to all officials who supported him during his tenure at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He also urged the staff to extend the same support to the new Deputy Minister.
The event was attended by Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyarathna, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe, Chairman of the National Youth Services Council Attorney Supun Wijeratne, Chairman of the National Youth Corps Tharindu Muhandiram, Director of the National Youth Corps Gamini Wickramapala, and several other officials from institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
