Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Seventh Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting at the BMICH, he said all members of the Commonwealth through their acceptance of democracy were well positioned to discuss issues that affected youth around the world today. "Our acceptance of democracy must enable us to identify the problems faced by the youth in our countries, which are linked by so many common causes."

He said the theme of the meeting, ‘Youth and Peace Building’, can benefit from Sri Lanka’s own experience which can relate very well to other countries of the Commonwealth, too.

"Sri Lanka has for the past three decades been faced with a threat by the most brutal terrorist organization in the world, a terror outfit that does not hesitate to use our youth as pawns and cannon fodder in its brutal operations to attack the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country. Its use of young boys and girls as child soldiers to carry arms for the forces of terror had been condemned by the United Nations and all those who seek peace and democracy in the world,  including several members of the Commonwealth. I am aware that Sri Lanka was not alone in facing this brutality to children," the President said.

He said that of prime importance within the Commonwealth were its initiatives directed towards creating greater opportunities for education and employment of youth in a culture of understanding youth and their aspirations. There was a need for inter-connectivity of youth where they learn from shared experiences separated as they were in different cultures but brought together in the common search for progress.