The Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education (Dr. Madhura Senevirathna)

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the time. I also thank Hon. Hesha Withanage for bringing a timely motion. This proposal seeks to enhance opportunities for athletes to obtain degrees. Before that, allow me to note:

¶ 02 We identified several issues at the school level regarding how student-athletes are selected and trained and the lack of a clear process. Together with officials of the Ministry of Sports, the Minister and Deputy Minister, we held several rounds of discussions on improving school sports. We saw disparities in the distribution of resources and coaches, and uncertainty as to whether the prescribed processes actually occur in schools. Another gap is the absence of a scientific early identification system to match young children to sports for which they are most suited — whether athletics, cricket, etc. Currently, selection depends mainly on the school and available coach. Thus, many capable youths may have drifted away from sport. We are establishing a proper process: a joint committee between the Ministries of Sports and Education will institute a scientific school sports system. University intake should then be based on proper selection, and we must also capture the substantial number who otherwise miss out.

¶ 03 Regarding the university side, currently, across degree programmes, up to 0.5 per cent of seats are allocated for students with special talents — not only in sport — outside the Z-score route. For national-level achievements, additional consideration is granted. We will review these quotas and pathways in light of this motion to better accommodate national athletes into relevant sports-related degree programmes.

¶ 04 We will work jointly with the Ministry of Sports to craft criteria, increase targeted places where feasible, and ensure transparent, equitable selection that recognizes athletic excellence alongside academic pathways.

¶ 05 Thank you.