Sports Minister to take steps to develop sports infrastructure of Sri Jayewardenepura University

Officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in discussions with the Sri Jayewardenepura University authorities during their fact-finding visit to the University

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the leading universities in Sri Lanka for its outstanding services in the field of sports. Students who have passed the A/L examinations and participated in national and international competitions will be admitted to this university to complete their degree. 

Sumedha Ranasinghe, who represented Sri Lanka at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the Javelin Throw event, is among the graduates studying at the University to obtain a degree.

Recently, a student of the University posted across Facebook that there was no suitable playground or indoor arena at the University for the athletes who win gold, silver and bronze medals for Sri Lanka nationally and internationally.

Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa drew attention to the notice and stated that action would be taken with regard to the shortcomings in the Sports Department of the University.

Accordingly, on the instructions of the Minister, a team of 23 officials, including Minister of Rural and School Sports Infrastructure Development Thenuka Vidanagamage, Secretary to the Ministry K.H. Ravindra Samarawickrema, Coordinating Secretaries to the Minister of Youth and Sports Ronnie Ibrahim and Sanjeewa Wijeratne, visited the University to find out its shortcomings and had a discussion with the University authorities, athletes and student representatives.

During the discussion a number of significant issues, such as the re-development of the University Stadium, the construction of a new stadium and the improvement of the Fitness Center were discussed; upon which it was informed that steps will be taken to expedite the process.