School sports welfare kicked out by Education Ministry | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

School sports welfare kicked out by Education Ministry

9 June, 2019

Officials relevant to sports in the Ministry of Education were questioned by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) regarding the mismanagement of government funds which were allocated for the development of sports in the schools.

An official of the ministry of education revealed that nearly Rs. 400 million which were given for the development of seven sports in schools were returned to the treasury.

The sports to be developed are cricket, rugby, volleyball, gymnastics, football, track and field and basketball but due to the lethargic attitude of the officials and delays the funds were returned to the treasury.

The official said that it was a huge loss to the sports in schools as the officials delayed to implement the Progress Plan submitted by the respective sports development officers due to their irresponsible attitude.

Former Test cricketers Sidath Wettimuny and Roger Wijesuriya along with former First Class cricketers Jayantha Seneviratne and Sri Lanka Under-19 coach Carlton Benardus served on the Committee along with officials of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.

Roshan Mahanama and Muttiah Muralidaran also pledged their support to make this venture a success.

The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association had also given their proposal to the Ministry but it was rejected by the additional secretary, an investigation by the Sunday Observer has revealed.

Sunil Jayaweera (Special Consultant to the Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam) told the Sunday Observer that a few officials including the audit department of the Ministry of Education were questioned by COPE recently.

He said that the allocations were not used for the proper purpose and that the additional secretary was also responsible as the proposals were not approved by him before the deadline.

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