The Government has unveiled one of the most ambitious sports incentive packages in Sri Lanka’s history, offering large cash rewards for athletes who win international honours while investing billions to build a stronger sporting culture among future generations.
Presenting the 2027 Budget, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Sri Lankan athletes who win an Olympic gold medal will receive Rs. 100 million. The same reward will go to gold medallists at the World Athletics Championships, while Commonwealth Games gold medallists will receive Rs. 75 million, Asian Games champions Rs. 50 million and SAARC Games gold medallists Rs. 15 million. Similar recognition packages will be introduced for silver and bronze medal winners and for athletes excelling at other international competitions.
The Government is seeking to bring sport into the mainstream, viewing it as a source of national pride and an investment in health, youth development and social cohesion. The Budget allocates Rs. 2.5 billion to promote sports participation among schoolchildren, young people and older citizens, with the aim of embedding sport in everyday life and identifying future national talent early.
A further Rs. 1.5 billion has been earmarked for modernising the Sugathadasa National Indoor Sports Complex, purchasing new sports equipment and building a synthetic running track at the Sugathadasa International Stadium.
The Budget also focuses on youth leadership, allocating Rs. 77.5 million in 2027 to set up a Youth Political Leadership Academy, part of a wider project estimated to cost Rs. 208 million. The academy is expected to train young men and women for leadership roles and encourage greater participation in regional and national decision-making.
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