Nine playgrounds in nine provinces:

Lankan sports stars will soon shine as Asia’s gems - Minister

Nadira Gunatilleke

“Sri Lankan sports stars will become Asia’s sporting miracles once their paths are cleared and a national sports policy is introduced,” Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told the Daily News.

“No Sri Lankan sportsman or sportswoman has become a traitor and none of them will let down their motherland,” he said.

“There is nothing that they cannot achieve. They are genuine gems that need to be collected, washed and displayed,” Aluthgamage said.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa is a true sportsman and his sons are talented sportsmen. I have three children who are actively involved in sports.

“Under the guidance of the President, all possible steps will be taken to upgrade sports in the country,” the minister said.

According to Minister Aluthgamage, Sri Lanka has already produced some of world’s top sportsmen and sportswomen like Muttiah Muralitharan, Susanthika Jayasinghe and many more.

“The Sri Lankan cricket team is among the top five in world rankings. The country can produce more world class sportsmen and sportswomen in the future. Foreign training will be provided for specific sports in which Sri Lanka can compete successfully at international level,” he said.

Of the 10,000 State schools in the country, only 250 schools are actively involved in sports. Therefore sports need to be promoted in schools. New playgrounds will be constructed all over the country. Nine main playgrounds will be constructed in all nine provinces, he said.

Another 25 playgrounds will be built covering all districts. All Divisional Secretariats will be provided with a playground under the same programme, the minister said.