Liberty Needs A Generation.
Liberal Youth Movement
Building a generation that understands liberty, challenges concentrated power, and works for a freer, more prosperous Sri Lanka.
About Us
The Liberal Youth Movement is a youth movement committed to advancing liberty, political literacy, individual freedom, and accountable governance in Sri Lanka.
We believe a freer and more prosperous society begins with individuals who understand their rights, question concentrated power, and take responsibility for shaping their future.
What Drives Us
Our vision and mission guide everything we do — from political education to public conversations and community engagement.
Our Vision
A freer society where every individual can live peacefully, exercise their freedom, and thrive.
Our Mission
To enhance political literacy, help people understand the principles of liberty, and empower individuals to question and challenge concentrated power.
Our Values
These eight principles form the foundation of our commitment to individual freedom and a free society.
Liberty
We believe in both negative and positive liberty. Negative liberty means freedom from unnecessary interference, coercion, and restrictions by others, particularly the state. Positive liberty concerns an individual's practical ability and opportunity to exercise freedom, pursue aspirations, and shape their own life. We support individual autonomy and the conditions that allow people to exercise their freedom.
Individualism
We place the individual at the centre of society. Every person is capable of independent thought and should be free to make their own choices and pursue their own aspirations. Society should respect individual autonomy rather than subordinate individuals to collective interests or state objectives.
Skepticism of Power
Power, regardless of who exercises it, must be questioned and scrutinised. Concentrated power creates risks to individual freedom and democratic institutions. We advocate accountability, transparency, and institutional constraints to prevent the abuse of power.
Rule of Law
The rule of law requires more than governing through laws. It requires constitutionalism, separation of powers, and effective checks and balances so that no individual or institution exercises unlimited authority. Laws should respect fundamental individual rights and be enacted through legitimate constitutional processes. Individuals must be able to challenge laws and state actions that violate fundamental rights or lack constitutional legitimacy. The question of refusing compliance with such laws should be understood in the context of constitutional principles, legal remedies, and the protection of rights.
Spontaneous Order
We recognise that complex and effective social and economic institutions can emerge through the voluntary interactions, choices, and cooperation of individuals rather than through central planning. Markets, communities, traditions, and other social institutions often develop organically through human action, local knowledge, and mutual cooperation.
Tolerance
A free society requires respect for differences in ideas, beliefs, lifestyles, and opinions. We defend the freedom to express and hold different views, including views with which we disagree.
Peace
We believe peaceful coexistence, dialogue, voluntary cooperation, and mutual respect are essential to a free and prosperous society. Differences should be addressed through peaceful engagement rather than coercion or violence.
Responsibility
Freedom and responsibility are inseparable. Individual responsibility means taking ownership of one's choices and respecting the freedom of others. Social responsibility means contributing to communities, supporting cooperation, and helping create conditions in which others can exercise their freedoms.
Born from a Crisis. Built for Liberty.
The Liberal Youth Movement emerged from Sri Lanka's economic, political, and social crisis of 2022. The crisis exposed the consequences of economic mismanagement, concentrated political power, weak institutions, and a lack of accountability. At the same time, the civic movement and protests of 2022 created a moment of political awakening, with young people across the country questioning the status quo and demanding change.
For us, this raised a deeper question: What kind of society should we build after the crisis?
We came to believe that changing political leaders alone would not be enough. Sri Lanka needed a generation that understood how power works, valued individual freedom, respected the rule of law, questioned concentrated power, and took responsibility for building stronger communities and institutions.
The Liberal Youth Movement was founded in July 2022 with that belief. What began as a response to a national crisis has grown into a youth movement working to bring liberal ideas into communities, public conversations, political education, and digital media.
Ideas Into Action
Bringing people together through ideas, learning, culture, and conversations.
Leadership Team
Meet the individuals contributing their knowledge, experience, and commitment to the Liberal Youth Movement.
Namini Panditha
Founder & DirectorAttorney-at-Law | Podcaster | Author
Malin Rathnayaka
Founding Member & DirectorEngineer | IT Professional
Shan Hettigoda
DirectorStudent | Executive Committee Member
Tharanga Wijeweera
DirectorEnvironmental Scientist
Mohamed Kamal
Executive Committee MemberEngineer | Tamil Coordinator
Jayapratha Jataram
Executive Committee MemberStudent, University of Colombo | Action Tank Network Coordinator
Kaveesha Jayasindar
Executive Committee MemberCommunication Consultant | Student
Ishara Hani
Executive Committee MemberSocial Sciences Graduate | Living Liberty Chapter Coordinator
Advisory Board
We are grateful for the guidance and experience of our advisors.
Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy
AdvisorFormer Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Dr. Sharmini Coorey
AdvisorFormer Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Campaigns & Initiatives
Through our campaigns and initiatives, we create opportunities for young people to learn, participate, lead, and contribute to building a freer, more peaceful, and prosperous Sri Lanka.
Living Liberty
Living Liberty is a youth awareness and engagement programme conducted across Sri Lanka, creating spaces for young people to participate in the conversations that will shape and rebuild the country. The programme seeks to spark meaningful conversations about how Sri Lanka can build a better future through a value system based on individual liberty, skepticism of power, the rule of law, tolerance, peace, and responsibility.
Living Liberty Chapters
Living Liberty in Action
Community Solutions Programme
The Community Solutions Programme empowers young leaders across seven districts to identify and address issues affecting their communities. Participants are equipped with practical skills in leadership, communication, project management, legal knowledge, community engagement, and problem-solving. The programme aims to develop responsible young leaders who can take initiative and create solutions within their communities.
Community Solutions in Action
Liberal Values Workshops
The Liberal Values Workshops introduce participants to the foundations of liberalism and help them understand the ideas behind individual liberty, limited government, the rule of law, free markets, tolerance, and open societies. The workshops also provide an introduction to political ideologies and the history and development of Sri Lankan politics and governance.
Action Tank
The Action Tank supports young people within the liberal youth network by creating a space to discuss and respond to challenges affecting their lives. Its areas of focus include mental health, career guidance, workplace harassment, women's leadership, youth leadership, and personal and professional development.
Are You Okay? Helpline
Voter Education & Election Campaign
An election-focused voter education initiative designed to help citizens make informed decisions. The campaign included analysing the manifestos of political parties and presenting key proposals in Sinhala and Tamil, making political information more accessible to voters.
A Vision of Liberty & Prosperity
A policy vision developed and presented during the 2024 Presidential Election. Following the 2022 economic crisis and civic protests, LYM developed a vision for the future of Sri Lanka and engaged with presidential candidates to discuss what young people expected from the country's next leadership. The initiative created a platform to present ideas for a freer, more prosperous, peaceful, and accountable Sri Lanka.
Research & Publications
A dedicated platform for LYM's research, publications, policy ideas, and educational resources.
Media & Podcasts
Liberal with Namini
An exclusive programme produced in partnership with Neon Media, exploring classical liberal ideas and applying them to contemporary issues in Sri Lanka. The programme examines questions of law, governance, society, economics, and public policy through a liberal perspective.
NATO
A partnership between Neon Media, Liberal Youth Movement, and Advocata analysing economic and current affairs and bringing different perspectives into public conversations.
Beyond the Headline
An analytical programme examining current affairs beyond the headlines, focusing on the wider political, economic, and social context behind major developments.
Neth AM Edition
A daily news programme that breaks down current events and examines the day's major stories through a liberal perspective.
Press Releases
News, announcements, statements, campaign updates, and official communications from the Liberal Youth Movement.
Get Involved
There are many ways to contribute to the work of building a freer Sri Lanka.
Join the Movement
Become part of a growing network of young people interested in liberty, political literacy, and civic engagement.
Volunteer
Contribute your skills, knowledge, time, and ideas to LYM's programmes and initiatives.
Participate
Join our workshops, campaigns, conversations, and community programmes.
Partner With Us
Collaborate with LYM on programmes, research, media, and initiatives that advance liberty and youth participation.
Support Our Work
Help strengthen the movement and expand its ability to reach young people across Sri Lanka.
Be Part of the Movement
A freer Sri Lanka begins with individuals who are willing to participate, contribute, and make a difference.
Contact Us
For general enquiries, media, partnerships, programme information, or other matters, get in touch with us.
Connect With the Liberal Youth Movement
Whether you have a question, an idea, or an opportunity to collaborate, we welcome you to reach out.
Let's Start a Conversation
Fill in the form below and tell us how we can help.
Let's Build a Freer Sri Lanka Together.
Ideas, conversations, and meaningful collaboration are where change begins.