Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar today said the young people should be given the space to engage and be heard in a decision making process instead of forced into military training. Commenting on the proposal to give mandatory military training for all above 18, the MP said the proposal was a baseless solution to existing problems. “How has the State Minister come to this conclusion? Has there been a study done on this matter?” he questioned. MP Markar also stated that a large number of services are already in place in schools to enhance discipline in pupils, such as cadetting, scouting and various other clubs. “Therefore, I believe that a valid solution to the problem is aiding these clubs and activities rather than forcing a military training on the children.” Speaking further, he said, “If we impose mandatory military training on children, there will be a generation that is engineered to follow instructions instead of thinking freely. The generation to come will not have original ideas and thoughts on how to decide anything about their future.” He further stated that as a solution to this, the SJB has decided to include a 25% representation of youth in the Parliamentary and all other elections.