New employment scheme for national athletes gets Cabinet nod

April 7, 2026 at 5:01 PM

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide stable employment opportunities for national-level athletes in state, semi‑state, and established institutions. 

The initiative, presented by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to retain athletes with exceptional skills in the national sports system and encourage them to achieve international victories.

The framework introduces a fair, merit‑based selection process to ensure long‑term job security for athletes. 

According to the government, Sri Lanka has produced many athletes with outstanding talent and international achievements, but the lack of permanent employment has forced some to retire prematurely, weakening the country’s competitiveness.

Currently, the number of permanent positions available for athletes in the tri‑forces and sports institutions remains limited. 

The new framework is designed to address this gap by securing livelihoods, preserving skills, and strengthening Sri Lanka’s presence in international sports. (Newswire)