Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Gamage, Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne and Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara joined hands today (11) to inspect several institutions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The Ministers inspected the Sports and Infrastructure Division established at the J.R. Jayewardene Center and discussed with the officials the current status of the facility, and discussed the progress of projects being implemented for the future of sports and urgent projects that need to be developed in the future.
The Ministers also inspected the Sports Academy, which provides knowledge through advanced and formal courses for athletes and sports coaches. Pointing out the value and importance of a country’s international achievements, the ministers appreciated the services of the Sports Academy, which provides sound advice and training on technical and practical theories.
The ministers then inspected the Sports Medicine Institute and obtained opinions and suggestions from doctors and staff on its activities. The importance of transforming it into an institution dedicated to developing athletes without disabilities by improving the physical fitness, nutrition and skills of athletes with modern technology was highlighted.
The ministers inspected the National Youth Corps Headquarters, which provides training related to the development of life skills and abilities of the youth of this country, and discussed the need to create a new program by involving vocational education institutions to provide a formal scholarship program to the youth who attend training courses as well as vocational education targeting the global job market.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Sunil Gamage said that the task of building a developed country is not only the responsibility of the members of parliament but also of the people of the country. He also stated that his government has established a government free from fraud and corruption to create the country that the majority of the people desired according to the mandate.
Reminding that it is not possible to create a virtuous youth like carving a statue, and that a reasonable period of time is needed for that, the Minister said that his ministry and the government have the serious responsibility of guiding certain youth groups who used sticks and clubs in the past to the right path. The Minister stated that he is ready to work according to short-term and long-term formal plans to overcome the formidable challenge of creating a young generation free from oppression and fulfilling the aspirations of the youth in a way that does not lead to another struggle, and that he is committed to creating the desired rich country and a beautiful life.
The importance and role of the affiliated institutions in making the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports a responsible ministry that meets the future goals of the country’s youth were discussed at length and instructions were given to its senior officers to promptly initiate new plans to move towards those goals.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Secretary of the Sports and Infrastructure Division, Sudheera Jayaratne, Director of the Institute of Sports Science, Sajith Jayalal, Director of the Institute of Sports Medicine, Dr. Lal Ekanayake, Director of the National Youth Corps, Brigadier R.M.S.P. Ratnayake and other senior officers.
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