Twenty-one players from the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union national pool have been included in the Government’s “Mission Olympic” programme, with each player set to receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 135,000.
The official presentation of allowances and inclusion of the newly selected Tier 3 national rugby pool took place today (26) at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the patronage of Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage.
In addition, 16 members of Sri Lanka’s women’s rugby team, who recently won the CASA 7s Rugby Tournament, were each awarded a special incentive of Rs. 180,000.
Addressing the event, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that rugby in Sri Lanka has been successfully revived through major structural reforms, including the re-establishment of the Rugby Union and the introduction of a new constitution.
He also noted that this is the first occasion a team sport has been included in the “Mission Olympic” programme, which was previously limited to athletics, adding that more team sports with international potential would be included in the future.
The event was attended by Secretary to the Ministry Aruna Bandara, Director General of the Department of Sports Development I. P. Wijeratne, President of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union Pavithra Fernando, ministry officials, and national rugby players.
