UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM IN SRI LANKA

Unemployment has become a burning problem in Sri Lanka today. Thenumber of unemployed is increasing day by day . According to statement of the Central Bank the number of is around 700,ooo and out of this  55% are females. Also, around 80% of the unemployed are in the rural sector. Unemployment is highest among the age group of 20-30 years.  A number of factors prevailing in the socity has paved the way to Unemployment. Some say that this situation has been arisen due to the outmoded Education system and lack of skills. The existing curriculum should be changed to suit the present dsy needs. it appears that there are iot of jobs in the private sector, especially in technical and industrial sector. If lack of skills is the reason for high unemployment in the contry, it is difficult to understand how a large number of people found employment abroad.It is not possible foryouths to be skilled at the time they are living schools or univercities. The employetrs should realize this situation. They should be given a change to obtain skills only by “on the job training “.This is why most of theemployees are recruited as probationers. Arrangements should be made by the vocational Training Authority, Technical colleges and other institutions to impart these skills to the youths.           when we go thorught the employment advertisement published in newspapers, it appears that all the employment expect the fluency in English. Almost all the people in Sri Lanka can converse either in Sinhala or Tamil or both Therefore , English is not essetial carry out almost day to day activities within the contry.  Under this situation most of our rural youths are rejected at iterviews due lak of knowedge of English, even if they are very capable and have very sound educational and other qualification. This is a very  sad state of affairs. In order to overcome the problem, it is essential to drow up a special program totrain the recruits to acquire fluency in English.  It is sad that lack of computer knowedge is all another reason for unemployment. But we see a large number of youths who have followed various computer courses, even at recognized institutions, still remain unemployed.  A large number of private secter companies, including garment factors have been closed down during the past few years. This is due to a number of factors including  North-East war. The production  in these companies has considerably decreeased. The Agricultural sector, where there are lot of job opportunities, too has been deterriorate within the past few years.            High rates of unemployment and underemployment have vary dire consequences. It leads to poverty result in low living standards, malnutrition and disease and meny other social problems.