The Cabinet has approved the recruitment of highly skilled sportspersons in the national sports system on a state or semi-state basis.
The objective of this is to provide employment opportunities to sportspersons in state, semi-state and statutory institutions through a fair and merit-based selection process so as to ensure their long-term job security, with the aim of retaining talented sportspersons in the sports field and encouraging them to achieve international success. The proposal has been submitted by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, to formulate a relevant policy framework.
Although many athletes with exceptional abilities and achievements at the national and international levels have emerged from the country, there is a tendency for them to retire from sports due to the lack of stable job opportunities. It is hoped that this new decision will provide a solution to this situation.