Compiled by Nicola Jayasundera

GEN Z MAY UNITE SRI LANKA

Abdullah Yusoof believes that societal divisions are becoming less distinct

Q: What do you consider to be the good, the bad and the ugly in Sri Lanka?

A: Sri Lanka’s natural beauty ranges from magnificent mountain peaks to serene beaches. This serenity – together with its rich history and culture – represents the good in Sri Lanka.

The bad is the political uncertainty that the nation is facing. With an election to be held soon, it is unclear where the country’s future lies. This could hinder its economic recovery.

Meanwhile, the ugly is the inadequacy of mental health support – especially for students and teenagers.

Q: And what do you see as the most pressing challenges facing the nation today?

A: Sri Lanka faces a wide range of challenges. They go beyond economic difficulties and include deep-rooted ethnic divisions that exacerbate the country’s volatility. While not as profound as half a century ago, these tensions continue to pose serious challenges.

Additionally, the gap between urban and rural areas is concerning. Rural communities are struggling due to poor education facilities, low literacy and inadequate healthcare systems. And considering that the majority live in rural regions, this is extremely worrying.

Q: Do you believe that Sri Lanka will be united one day? If so, how do you think this can be achieved?

A: Unity is a daunting goal but not completely impossible.

With the changing world and Gen Z coming to the forefront, divisions based on race, religion and gender are becoming less distinct. People are more sympathetic to each other’s individual circumstances and social associations are no longer limited to one’s background.

This new perception offers hope for long-term unity in Sri Lanka.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: It’s difficult to answer this question as it depends on my higher education and future experiences.

I hope that in 10 years, I’ll be beginning my career in policy or development economics. However, this is tentative and depends largely on where my education takes me.

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

A: I hope that Sri Lanka and its people can remain resilient, and help achieve a strong recovery from the economic crisis.

And I also hope that youth empowerment will be high – with the country transitioning into a youth managed system both politically and socially – where young people take the lead to create a brighter future for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans.

Q: Who is responsible for climate change and global warming? And what measures must be taken to tackle it, in your view?

A: Climate change can’t be blamed on any single entity. We all contribute to it in one way or another. While large corporations are often blamed, we as their customers also encourage their operations, which seriously damage the environment.

A collective approach, both individually and as a society, is needed to address this complex issue and protect the Earth with the future in mind.

Q: How do you view the growing importance of social media today? And do you think that its impacts have been positive or negative?

A: Social media has changed everything about the world – from the manner in which people interact to how businesses operate; and it has provided everyone with better access to information.

It enables smaller businesses to grow and provides opportunities that may not have been available otherwise.

Nevertheless, for our generation, social media often results in hours of mindless scrolling. Despite its benefits, its negative impact on productivity and the social skills of teenagers is significant.

Q: And where do you see the world in 10 years?

A: I don’t think that the world will be completely different from what it is now.

Issues such as climate change and geopolitical tensions will take time to resolve; and even with tangible progress, it’s difficult to see a significant change within 10 years. I hope that society will grow and mature; but socially, I foresee the world being in a similar place.

In terms of technology however, I believe that we will see rapid changes though these developments may not be sufficiently widespread to transform the world as we know it.

I also hope that youth empowerment will be high – with the country transitioning into a youth managed system – both politically and socially