The Premier was also presented with a sketch of himself drawn by a youth at the camp.The mayor of Yowun Puraya Sasanka Baduge thanked the Prime Minister for reviving the youth camp concept and adding a new meaning to the youths' life.Yowun Puraya is a brain child of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He introduced the youth empowerment program in 1984 as the then Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment.
Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake, Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa and National Youth Services Council Chairman Eranda Weliange accompanied the Prime Minister.The five-day youth camp from March 27 -31 is a leadership and outward bound training program, which brings together over 8300 Sri Lankan youth representing all the 25 districts of the island and 100 International youths comprising the 26th 'Worldwide' team.