Minister of Educationa Akila Viraj Kariwasam ordered the relevant officials to take prompt actions to update the circular issued in 1989 stipulating guidelines to establish sports collages. The Minister had given this order when he chaired the progress evaluation session with the principals of the sports collages yesterday (23) at the Ministry.
Apart from that the Minister had directed the officials to grant sporting goods worth of Rs.2.5 million to 18 functional sports schools, also he directed them to establish gymnasiums in those institutions. Also the Minister had requested the officials to commence constructing Volleyball, Netball and Basketball stadiums at those sports schools.
Further a committee had been appointed to evaluate and submit recommendations on the payment structure of the scholarships, payments for extra classes conducted and the salaries of the principals of the sports schools. The Minister pointed out that the selection procedure when enrolling students to these schools should be structured properly to call applications via public newspapers. Committee comprise of seven members representing the Ministry and the sports schools have been appointed in this regard.
The Minister announced that Rs. 200 million had been allocated to uplift the standard of sports in the country, therefore he requested the officials to efficiently make use of the funds provided in that regard. One of the Principals attended the meeting said that a meeting between the Minister and the Principals had taken place after nearly 20 years.
