Cabinet on Monday approved a new employment framework that will offer permanent positions to national-level athletes across state, semi-state and established institutions, the government said. The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Selection under the scheme will be merit-based. The framework is designed to retain athletes with proven international or national-level achievement inside the sports system rather than losing them to early retirement.
Permanent employment for top athletes is currently restricted largely to the tri-forces and a handful of specialised sports institutions, leaving many competitors without job security once their playing years end. The government said this insecurity has driven premature retirements and weakened Sri Lanka’s competitive standing in international events.
The framework is intended to “secure livelihoods, preserve skills, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s presence in international sports,” according to the Cabinet decision.
Initial reports did not specify a budget allocation, the number of positions to be created, or the institutions that will host the placements. Implementation guidelines and an eligibility list are expected from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The decision arrives during an active sports season, with Sri Lanka A hosting New Zealand A and several federation tournaments scheduled around the Sinhala-Tamil New Year break.
