Sports minister rejects athlete's claims of neglect, highlights Olympic support scheme

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has dismissed claims by a national athlete regarding a lack of state support, asserting that the individual is already part of the national pool and receives all required equipment.

Addressing comments made by the athlete during a television interview—in which he alleged that he lacked essential gear, including shoes and a javelin—Gamage stated that he had personally investigated the matter.

He noted that such assertions create a misleading impression that talented sportspeople are being neglected by the state, adding that athletes currently benefiting from government assistance should not resort to collecting funds on social media platforms.

The Minister emphasised that the government is actively providing financial and logistical backing through its Mission Olympic 2028 programme, which was established in April 2025 to bolster Sri Lanka’s chances of winning an Olympic medal.

Under the initiative, athletes categorised in the primary national pool receive a monthly allowance of Rs.210,000, while their coaches receive Rs.110,000.

Athletes in the secondary category are allocated a monthly stipend of Rs.110,000.

In addition, the state distributes a nutritional allowance of Rs.60,000 to approximately 370 athletes, while roughly Rs.1,500 schoolchildren receive a monthly allowance of Rs.10,000.

Gamage reiterated the government's confidence in achieving Olympic success at the upcoming Games.