President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to prepare plans aimed at producing athletes capable of achieving international success, promoting a sporting culture and building a healthier population.
The President issued the directives during a discussion on the Ministry’s 2027 Budget proposals held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (29), according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
The President highlighted the role sports can play in addressing the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases, which have become a major concern for the country’s health sector.
He also stressed the need to change public attitudes towards sports and encourage greater participation in physical activities to promote healthier and more active lifestyles.
According to the PMD, the President noted that although walking paths have been constructed across the country, some areas have yet to achieve the intended benefits. He called for new programmes to encourage the public to make greater use of these facilities.
He further emphasised the importance of maintaining an accurate and up-to-date database of sports grounds, walking paths and indoor stadiums across the country to support effective planning.
The discussion also focused on several projects proposed for 2027, including the establishment of a National High Performance Centre to develop Sri Lankan athletes to international standards, the construction of a 400-metre synthetic running track in Anuradhapura, and the completion of outstanding work and further development of the Diyagama International Stadium.
Plans to upgrade the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium and conduct joint research on sports and exercise through sports medicine institutions and universities were also discussed.
Progress and future plans relating to programmes implemented by the Youth Corps and the National Youth Services Council were reviewed during the meeting.
Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma, Director General of the Department of Sports Development and Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports S. Achchudan, and other officials from the relevant ministries and institutions also attended the discussion.
