Youth Affairs and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka said creativity would be the most sought after skill in a world driven by Artificial Intelligence. 

The Minister made this remark while addressing an International Youth Day event at the Nelum Pokuna theatre, in Colombo. 

"With the rise of AI, knowledge-based industries will have to face serious challenges. We will be forced to find solutions to so many unanswered questions. In my opinion, one skill that cannot be discounted would be creativity," the Minister said adding that his ministry is in the process of driving the country's youth in that direction. 

"Be it business, sports or politics, creativity will make you stand out'" Ratnayaka said addressing the youth gathering.

The Minister said the time had come for the Sri Lankan youth to pursue creativity. 

"Very soon," he added, "we will enter into a stage where we will walk into a high-tech machine which will present a comprehensive account of all ailments in our bodies and possible solutions, in no time."

He said the potential of the Sri Lankan youth was on par with that youth in any developed nation. 

"What we lack in this country," the Minister said, "is the opportunity to emerge."

He said organizations under his ministry had launched a number of initiatives to tap into the untapped potential of the Sri Lankan youth.