US Youth Leadership Program Launched in Colombo
- CNL Reporter
- August 19, 2025
- News
- US Youth Leadership
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The United States has launched the Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI) in Colombo, bringing together more than 80 emerging youth leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the three-day workshop is aimed at strengthening regional networks, promoting entrepreneurship, and encouraging civic engagement. Participants were selected from alumni of previous U.S. government exchange programs, representing fields such as business, academia, governance, and health.
Opening the program, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said the initiative would help combine “ideas, talents, and dreams to shape the future of this region,” adding that a stronger Indo-Pacific would benefit all. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Shelly Seaver and Sri Lanka’s Youth Affairs Minister Sunil Gamage also took part in the launch.
The workshop includes interactive sessions with experts, business leaders, and government officials, and features a YSALI Expo showcasing U.S. businesses, civic projects, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Launched globally in September 2024, YSALI is Washington’s latest youth outreach program, designed to equip young leaders with tools and networks to address regional challenges while strengthening long-term ties between South Asia and the United States
