Sri Lanka's Sports Ministry has launched an extensive financial support programme for athletes and coaches ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, with top-tier competitors receiving monthly allowances alongside infrastructure investments.
The government has introduced a comprehensive incentive scheme targeting 140 national-level athletes in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games, according to Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage. Athletes in the highest category will receive Rs. 210,000 monthly, with Olympic swimmer Rumesha Tharanga among those selected for support under the initiative.
In a notable first for Sri Lankan sports, the programme extends financial assistance to coaching staff, with top-tier coaches receiving Rs. 100,000 per month. The scheme operates across multiple tiers, providing Rs. 60,000 monthly as nutrition allowance to 380 national-level athletes, while more than 1,500 school-level competitors receive Rs. 10,000 each.
The Minister unveiled these measures during the inauguration of a newly constructed sports pavilion at the Kuliyapitiya Presidential Shilpa Kala Shalika Grounds in the North Western Province. The facility was developed across two phases, with Rs. 18.39 million invested in 2025 and Rs. 20.64 million in 2026, totalling approximately Rs. 39.03 million. An additional Rs. 6.80 million has been allocated for landscaping efforts.
Minister Gamage stated that the combined investment in infrastructure and athlete support reflects the government's commitment to developing elite sportsmen and women both regionally and nationally. The initiative forms part of what officials are calling "Mission Olympic 2028," representing an expansion of state support for competitive sports in Sri Lanka.
