We came here today with the theme ‘tharkayen aragalayata.’ We’re A-Level students taking the exam this year; we have less than five months to sit for the exam. It’s sad to have to say that our studies have been interrupted by the crisis. We take a book and sit down to study but the next second, the electricity is gone.

This happens even at tuition classes. Our teachers too are in an uncomfortable position because of this. Not everyone has private vehicles. Most of us travel by bus.

We had classes yesterday but most of my classmates couldn’t attend them. The teacher continued the class for as long as he could – but he had to stop in the middle due to a power cut. All of this affects the younger generation of the country.

Why can’t they understand our problems? Is it because the majority of the 225 in parliament haven’t sat their A-Levels?

From the scholarship examination to the O-Levels, we worked really hard for 13 years. Now we have only a few months to go. But because of the paper shortage, our teachers are finding it difficult to provide us with study material.

The government doesn’t really care about any of this. The entire country is asking them to leave so I don’t understand why they’re still here. I’m studying economics for my A-Levels and most of my classmates are here. It looks like the politicians don’t even have a basic sense of economics.

We don’t have to study theory about inflation and the causes for it when it’s happening in front of our eyes. It’s tragic how they don’t see this. If they can’t see it, they should hand it over to someone who can… and leave. Why are they still here? Is their greed for power bigger than their concern for the country?

While we haven’t voted for anyone yet, in the future we will. But to vote and elect a new government, we have to have a country. We beg the leaders of the country – leave what’s left of this country and just go… please.

We need a future. Those who can afford to leave the country will move abroad but not everyone can do that. When that happens, Sri Lanka will be left with a population that is largely uneducated. The brain drain will impede the development of the country. If you look at world history, there are rules for those who travel on bicycles.

In our country, they come to power on a  bicycle but leave with millions and millions of people’s money. Why can’t they understand what even a small child can? That it is wrong.

If you can’t, just go home. If you came to power with the people’s mandate, now respect the same and leave. I’m really sad. This is the time we could spend studying. We’re not here because we don’t have anything better to do. We came here to protect our rights. Listen to our voices.

Make space for us. I’m not speaking only what’s on my mind; I’m speaking on behalf of all the students here today. We came here with a lot of difficulties – some even missed their lectures. Give us justice. If you can’t do the job, leave. That’s all we ask.

Q: As an educated younger generation, where do you think the country is heading?

A: At this rate, all educated youth from the middle, upper middle and higher classes will move abroad, creating a massive brain drain. And the country will be left with people with less educational competencies.

When you visit rural areas beyond this urban mindset, you won’t believe what these people go through. Of course, politicians like to keep things this way. When those who have studied in Sri Lanka work in another country, they contribute towards developing it. Our politicians can then easily buy those who aren’t knowledgeable and have remained here with a meal or a bottle of alcohol.

When there’s an election, the  politicians go to the villages and tell those poor people a fairy tale and get their votes. After the election, you can’t find them. If they complete a project, they would have stolen money that could pay for another 10 projects. If this continues, we won’t have a country to live in.

We boast about our proud history but no one has learned anything from it. They’re not willing to look at the history and make changes in the present to shape the future.

Q: As for the future of the country, what’s your message to the youth who are not here today?

A: Well, they could have their reasons for not being here – economic or otherwise. Don’t be sad that you’re not here physically.

Hang in there and have faith. We can do this. We can build our country again. This country is an island of treasure. What don’t we have here? We have given control of the country to a bunch of idiots. That’s why we’re here today.

My message to the youth is as follows: ‘Don’t give up. Keep going until our demands are met.’