The Centre for Policy Innovation and Development organised an inaugural workshop bringing together 45 young leaders to explore opportunities emerging from Sri Lanka's growing relationship with China.
The Centre for Policy Innovation and Development (CPID) has concluded its first workshop focused on youth empowerment and bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and China. The event, held in Colombo, convened 45 emerging leaders from academic, professional, and social sectors to examine the evolving global landscape and partnership opportunities between the two nations.
The workshop curriculum covered geopolitics, economic transformation, technological innovation, governance, and youth leadership development. Four resource speakers contributed expert perspectives to the discussions. Indrananda Abeysekara, Chairman of the Association for Sri Lanka–China Socio-Cultural Partnership, outlined the historical relationship between the countries and highlighted emerging opportunities. Vinod Munasinghe, Convener of the Asia Progress Forum, presented China's 15th Five-Year Plan and its implications for regional economic development. Political commentator Hemantha Srilal addressed digital culture's influence on youth activism and political engagement in South Asia, while Dilanka Karunarathne, a Tsinghua University graduate, shared firsthand experiences of studying and governance practices in China.
Participants engaged actively in question-and-answer sessions, demonstrating considerable interest in understanding global developments and identifying collaborative opportunities. CPID stated its commitment to expanding the initiative through a series of similar workshops across Sri Lanka in coming months, aiming to equip young leaders with knowledge and perspectives to contribute to national development.
