Sri Lanka President Dissanayake outlines sports development plan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that to turn sport into a cultural pillar of society Sri Lanka must shift mind‑sets and address rising road accidents and youth drug abuse. He outlined the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry’s 2026 budget allocations, reviewed progress of ongoing projects and presented proposals for the 2027 budget. Dissanayake stressed that sport should go beyond competitions, fostering community engagement and preparing athletes for the 2028 Olympic Games. He called for a cadre of skilled coaches, new facilities such as the Mannar and Kilinochchi district sports complexes, and coordination among agencies including the Sports Development Agency, Sports Medicine Institute, National Sports Academy and related bodies.

The president emphasized that these actions are essential to build a future generation that is healthy, disciplined and capable of achieving international sporting success.