Track and Field at Sugathadasa Stadium from October 1-5
The Track and Field events of the 34th All-Island Schools Sports Festival will be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium from October 1-5. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who, as Minister of Education in 1984, inaugurated the Schools Sports Festival, will be the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony, while President Maithripala Sirisena will be the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony.
This was revealed at a press conference presided over by Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam at Olympic House on Wednesday (26).
Addressing the Media, Education Ministry’s Sports & Physical Education Advisor Sunil Jayaweera said this year’s event will have over 6,000 girls and boys in action. Mr Jayaweera further went on to say that Sri Lanka can boast of having the best Junior Athletic team, which is a result of the efforts to uplift Schools Sports activities, under the instructions of the Education Minister.
It will be interesting to note the efforts of this government in lending a hand to talented sportsmen and sportswomen to advance in their respective fields. The results can be seen in years to come.
The Ministry of Sports is also helping the Education Ministry in recognising promising Sports personalities and helping them to be world class. The Ministry is always ready to receive the views of Sports experts to improve School Sports. The ministry will make every efforts to ensure that, the Sports governing bodies are free of outside interference and of politics.
In his speech, the Education Minister explained the Ministry’s role in helping Sports personalities such as the arrangements for swimmer Akalanka Pieris to sit for his A/L exam, while on national duty overseas, and helping ace athlete Sriyani Kulawansa to study for a Degree. He further went on to say that 3,850 Sports personalities who have excelled at national and international level, will be absorbed as trainers.
Education Ministry Secretary Sunil Hettiarachchi, Mr Sunil Jayaweera and Education Ministry Sports & Physical Education Director Manjula Kariyawasam were present at the news conference.