The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has instructed all schools and zonal education directors to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued in response to the prevailing extreme heat conditions across Sri Lanka.

The guidelines issued earlier this month (12), highlight the health risks posed by unusually high temperatures and urge the public to take preventive measures.

The ministry warns that extreme heat can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and in severe cases, heat stroke, which may cause unconsciousness and organ damage. 

The advisory stresses the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and wearing light, breathable clothing.

Recommended Preventive Measures

• Drink water frequently to stay hydrated.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
• Wear light, breathable clothing.
• Rest in shaded or cool areas when outdoors.
• Monitor vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.
• Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of heat stroke appear.

Schools and institutions have been asked to adjust outdoor activities to safeguard students, while the public has been urged to conserve water and use it responsibly. 

The Education Ministry stresses that awareness and early response are crucial to preventing health emergencies during this period of extreme heat. (Newswire)

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A review on the implementation of the 2025 budget allocations for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, together with preliminary discussions on the 2026 budget proposals, was held at the Presidential Secretariat today (15) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

During this discussion, the allocations made in 2025 to eight institutions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the current status of the related projects were reviewed separately. 

The President pointed out that the long-standing issue in all sectors, including youth affairs and sports, is the failure to allocate budgetary provisions properly for their advancement. He further noted that although the last budget allocated the necessary funds for all sectors, there has been dissatisfaction regarding their proper utilisation for the relevant projects. The President emphasised that such allocations should be fully utilised within the respective financial year to deliver benefits to the public, treating this as a priority task. 

During the discussion, the President stressed the importance of preparing the 2026 budget proposals with the objectives of creating a sports culture in the country, developing sports-related infrastructure, implementing programmes to identify athletes with international potential and elevating athletes to the global stage. 

The President instructed that a plan be prepared to establish a sports culture and also advised that, in promoting sports, the maximum possible participation of sports associations should be secured and the necessary facilities be provided to them. 

President Dissanayake emphasised that the allocation of funds for this purpose is not merely an investment in sports development, but one that simultaneously achieves multiple goals such as improving the nation’s health, enhancing social welfare, reducing crime, combating drug use, fostering social cohesion and creating a dynamic workforce. 

The President also stated that in sports, vigour alone is not sufficient; in this era, training and technology are decisive factors, and therefore, providing athletes with the necessary opportunities in these areas should be a primary responsibility of the Ministry of Sports. 

At this meeting, the President also instructed officials to expedite the renovations and construction of sports complexes for which funds have already been allocated, including the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, those in the Kilinochchi and Mannar districts and others being built across the island. 

The discussion also touched on the significance of employing experts for specialised construction in sports infrastructure development, establishing an advisory company under the government for this purpose and obtaining consultancy services at an international level. 

The President instructed officials to focus on the development of school sports and expressed his readiness to allocate the necessary funds for this purpose. 

Taking all the above points into consideration, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further instructed ministry officials to prepare and present a new integrated plan for sports development as soon as possible.

Attention was also drawn to the upcoming plans of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, which are to be implemented with the participation of the young men and women who took part in the 2025 National Youth Conference held recently.

The event was attended by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara and Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russell Aponsu and Kapila Janaka Bandara and a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized the need for the Ministry of Sports and Sports Associations to collaborate on joint initiatives aimed at elevating Sri Lankan sports to the international stage. 

President Dissanayake stressed that instead of isolated efforts such as merely distributing sports equipment, the focus must shift toward structured and impactful programmes that support long-term sports development.

The President made these remarks during a progress review meeting of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports held at the Presidential Secretariat today (16).

The meeting reviewed the institutional progress of the Ministry of Sports, the National Youth Services Council and the National Youth Corps. The President was briefed on the current projects being implemented by these institutions and the programmes aimed at youth development across the country.

During the discussion, the President noted that, similar to developed countries, sports can bring not only social benefits but also significant economic returns. He closely examined the Ministry’s sports development initiatives and called for a more strategic approach.

Attention was also drawn to the “YOUTH CLUB” programme of the National Youth Services Council. The President directed officials to focus on establishing modern and well-equipped vocational training centres that cater to school leavers and promote youth employment.

Underscoring the importance of efficient and results-oriented implementation, the President stressed that all institutions under the Ministry must work collectively to achieve both physical and financial targets by the end of 2025, ensuring the optimal use of allocated resources. (Newswire)

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Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe has issued a stern warning to those attempting to overturn the new regulations that have been introduced pertaining to several sports bodies in Sri Lanka.

Addressing an event, the Sports Minister emphasized that he will not reverse the Gazettes’ issues on new regulations pertaining to several sports bodies, especially the cricket and football administrations.

Pointing out that several of these sports bodies are being run by unsuitable individuals and are centred around corruption, the minister said all efforts to force him to reverse the Gazettes will not be fruitful, adding that he will resign if such a situation occurs.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=2Rb1fB&v=876999893351678 (NewsWire)

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