Compiled by Nicola Jayasundera

FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE!

Shara Cassim calls for awareness and urgent action on challenging issues

Q: What’s the good, the bad and the ugly in Sri Lanka today?

A: There is a lot of good, a little bad and some ugly in the country. Sri Lanka – which is a beautiful small island with golden beaches, misty mountains and mighty elephants – is filled with people who are hospitable and kind.

However, there are some aspects of it that need to change urgently. They include fraudulent activities, corruption, lack of management expertise, scamming and sloppiness. These are a few of the bad and ugly aspects of the country, which must be addressed if Sri Lanka wants to develop.

I believe that the time is right for educated youth to stand up and voice their opinions. As the next generation, we have to get together and transform this country for the better.

Q: And what are some of the other challenges facing our nation today?

A: The ongoing economic crisis is the greatest challenge facing Sri Lanka today. It has resulted in untold hardships for many, and the road to recovery is going to be a long and arduous one.

Decades of fiscal and current account deficits, declining tax revenues and subsidised prices have led to Sri Lanka’s present predicament.

If our youth can participate actively, and partially drive political, social and economic development – and if their opinions are given priority and views taken seriously – we can overcome these challenges.

Q: Do you believe that Sri Lankans will be united one day – and how and why, if so?

A: There’s a faint hope that Sri Lankans will unite someday because the country certainly needs to be united if it is to progress in the future.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

A: By then, I will be a loving partner, strong mother, well-educated lady and valuable asset to my nation. I see myself speaking up for human, women’s and children’s rights, and for diverse other issues in Sri Lanka as a reputable media personality.

Meanwhile, I hope to explore the world and learn many things, meet new people and develop myself further.

Q: And where do you see Sri Lanka in a decade or so from today?

A: If people – especially politicians – are honest and not corrupt, Sri Lanka will become one of the most developed countries in the world.

On the economic front, the nation’s main foreign exchange earners such as tourism, tea, apparel and textiles must be further developed.

Above and beyond all other considerations, the education system must be improved to keep pace with current demands and global trends so that the nation can develop with educated people at the helm.

Q: Who is responsible for climate change and global warming – and what must be done about these issues?

A: It’s the people who are responsible for climate change and global warming.

Using social media and other platforms, we need to make people aware that the impact of climate change on the planet will be catastrophic if nothing is done to address global warming.

Q: How do you view the growing importance of social media today?

A: Social media is like a coin. On one side, it’s extremely important for everyone in this developing world.

The flip side is that its destructive aspects must be seriously considered since they tend to lead the younger generation astray.

Q: Finally, where do you see the world in 10 years’ time?

A: I have two perspectives regarding this.

Firstly, the world will see a substantial increase in population, pollution, waste disposal, climate change and global warming. Since the Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions have raised global temperatures, and this is leading to rapidly melting glaciers, rising sea levels and loss of land due to erosion.

Secondly, AI will play a vital role in many sectors, and the world will change even more and eventually be better developed.