Harnessing Youth for Economic Transformation in Sri Lanka: Opportunities, Barriers, and Policy Imperatives in an Era of Disruption.

Abstract

This paper investigates the critical role of youth in driving economic transformation in Sri Lanka amid a rapidly evolving global landscape. Despite constituting a vibrant and educated demographic, Sri Lankan youth continue to grapple with high structural unemployment, outdated educational curricula, and inadequate support for entrepreneurship. Drawing from the keynote address delivered at the 1st Undergraduate Research Symposium on Business Economics (URSBE-2025), the study highlights the paradox of a skilled but economically sidelined youth population. Using a qualitative narrative approach grounded in the real-life experiences of three young Sri Lankans, the paper examines how youth-driven innovation in the digital, green, and care economies can serve as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable growth. The analysis critiques systemic and institutional barriers and proposes targeted policy recommendations aimed at better aligning education, innovation, and enterprise development with national economic priorities.