The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, on this day when we debate the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, I wish to speak on women and sporting achievements. This year, Rs. 12,600 million has been allocated to the Ministry, of which Rs. 8,486 million is for sports. The objective is to open pathways for rural youth and school children to attain sporting success. Speaking of women in sport, “the Black Mare of Asia,” Susanthika Jayasinghe, stands out. Sri Lanka has won only two Olympic medals; one is Susanthika’s silver in the women’s 200m at Sydney 2000. We also recognize Damayanthi Darsha and Tharushi Karunarathna as leading sprinters.

¶ 02 Among sports most favored by women is netball. Sri Lanka won the Asian Championship in 2015 and were runners-up in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2024. Thus names like Tharjini Sivalingam and Gayanjali Amarawansa are still celebrated. Due to a court action, elections to the Netball Federation cannot presently be held; nevertheless, for the Asian Junior Netball Championship in South Korea on 27 June, we have named a 25-player pool and the government is fulfilling its responsibilities to the sport.

¶ 03 This year’s Budget allocates Rs. 500 million for international sports tournaments. Our hope is to secure both the Asian Junior and World Junior netball titles. Women’s sporting success is not limited to track and netball. Nethmi Ahinsa brought international glory by winning the women’s 57kg wrestling bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Yet she has still not received her due rewards; we must ensure fairness to her.

¶ 04 In women’s cricket, figures like Chamari Athapaththu have made this small country’s name shine globally. I represent Monaragala, a district with deep poverty. Two beloved girls from my district, Chethana Vimukthi and Chamodi Prabodha Munasinghe, have been selected for the latest New Zealand T20 series. Behind every achievement are painful personal stories, but they have triumphed despite adversity.

¶ 05 An Opposition Member claimed we have not paid prizes to medal-winning athletes. While such awards are paid from the National Sports Fund, its balance had dwindled to near zero in the recent past. As of now, the Fund has Rs. 86.45 million. Of this, Rs. 48.7 million is to be paid to medalists at the 2024 Paralympics; Rs. 3.75 million to wrestler Nethmi Ahinsa and her coach; and around Rs. 34 million for world para-athletics achievements. These payments for 2024 require Cabinet approval; we will proceed accordingly.

¶ 06 Rs. 50 million is allocated for Presidential Sports Awards to motivate athletes towards international success. For athlete nutrition, air tickets and other facilities for competitions, we have allocated Rs. 150 million. Under the “Kreeda Shakthi” programme, selected athletes will receive a monthly Rs. 10,000 nutrition allowance and continuous training, with Rs. 200 million allocated.

¶ 07 We will award additional university admission credits to National Sports Festival medalists, drawing more school children into sport. An Opposition MP spoke emotionally about athlete nutrition and hunger. Yet those speaking today were the very people who trampled athletes’ right to live. He also spoke of a “sports economy,” but if he had honestly explained how Suriyawewa Stadium was built and how it generated revenue, that would have been ethical. In this Budget we aim to empower youth through sport, not imprison them, build a prosperous country, and uplift their lives. Thank you.