Minister Lal Kantha acknowledged that despite his past efforts—alongside various groups—to stage protests demanding government jobs for graduates, the current situation clearly shows the consequences of such actions.
Speaking at an event held at the Maha Illuppallemama Seed Research Institute, where seed and paddy processing and drying machines donated under European Union assistance and facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) were officially handed over, Minister Lal Kantha emphasized a shift in perspective.
He noted, “This year, 30,000 individuals need to be recruited into government service. But graduates must now be advised not to seek government employment.”
He went on to stress that the government is not a job-providing institution, adding, “We must accept responsibility for that too. It is we who encouraged graduates to take to the streets and demand jobs. Today, many of them are posted to divisional secretariats where there is nothing for them to do.”
He further highlighted the futility of the situation by citing reports from divisional secretaries: “They say, ‘Don’t come every day—just come on Wednesday, sign in, and go home.’ It’s better for them to stay at home than come to work.”
Minister Lal Kantha concluded by acknowledging collective accountability: “When they come in, they have to at least switch on a small fan or light. That means both you and I—everyone speaking on this—are responsible for the collapse of this country.”
