The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, as a Ministry, using the National Youth Services Council and the National Youth Corps at Ambilipitiya, we will empower youth to build the country they aspire to. Funds are allocated in this Budget to revive these institutions and to produce leaders for political, social, and economic processes, developing capable youth with a progressive culture and free thinking.

¶ 02 On sports, there are 74 registered national sports associations. Too often, outcomes in Sri Lankan sport are decided less by athletes than by office-bearers in these associations. Internal tussles for posts, long tenures, irregularities, corruption, and fraud have damaged sport. We will therefore bring a new sports constitution/law and gazette provisions to resolve these problems swiftly. Without fixing governance in associations, we cannot uplift sport. We have already met officials, called in those with issues, and intervened in cases.

¶ 03 This Budget allocates substantial funds for sports infrastructure, especially in the North and East, for national reconciliation. For example: Rs. 300 million for Eastern Province sports development; Rs. 85 million for Kilinochchi Sports Complex; Rs. 40 million for Vavuniya; Rs. 348 million for Mannar District Sports Complex; Rs. 150 million for Kalmunai Sandhanthanee Sports Complex; Rs. 150 million for sports grounds in Jaffna District; and Rs. 100 million for sports schools in the Northern Province. About one-fifth of our capital is directed to these long-neglected areas to take sport to the villages.

¶ 04 We are also focusing on getting women into sport, given their strong record of international achievements, by tailoring facilities and culture—including enabling safe night-time play. We are building village-level sports culture: a sports club and youth club in every GN division, mobilizing youth and communities.

¶ 05 For athlete development, we allocate Rs. 400 million for the national pool for nutrition, attire, and other needs; Rs. 200 million for the “Kreeda Shakthi” programme; Rs. 150 million for international competition facilitation; and Rs. 500 million for competitions. Four main bodies—Sri Lanka Motor Sports, Cycling Federation, Netball Federation, and Rugby—are currently suspended; we will expedite legal steps to regularize and bring them back. Six other associations are temporarily halted; we are reviewing each case.

¶ 06 On Sri Lanka Cricket and other elections: the Ministry does not interfere in elections; we keep politics out of sport. But we will intervene firmly against fraud and corruption for the advancement of sport, because athletes and sport are national assets and the Government is accountable for them.

¶ 07 We are also developing a fitness app and programme, and encouraging cycling and similar cultural shifts. Regarding national pool housing and meals, today 51 athletes are accommodated and 95 receive meals; with the support of the State Minister we have ensured proper nutrition plans.

¶ 08 Our policy pledges include fair access, adequate infrastructure, international cooperation, creating professional-level athletes, and building a sports culture. Funds are allocated and work has begun so that within the next three months we can make strong progress and offer our people a better life through these efforts. I thank all officials, our two State Ministers, and staff who supported the Budget’s preparation and implementation.