President promises insurance for sportsmen

Susanthika, Murali and Sanath receive gold for outstanding contributions

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, seeking his second term in office, while felicitating three of country’s great sports icons for their outstanding contribution to the field of sports during their exceptional careers, vowed to provide a welfare programme to all sportsmen and women in the country.
Olympic silver medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, World record holder for highest wickets in Tests and ODIs, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya for competing 20 long years of cricket, were given a gold memorabilia each worth over 1 million rupees by the President which many would term as part of President’s election campaign ahead of the Presidential election scheduled for January 26.
Earlier Sri Lanka felicitated a host of sportsmen and women who had brought honour to this country since independence at a glittering ceremony at the BMICH in 2008.
While addressing a gathering which included a large number of sportsmen and women, officials and children in school uniform, President said yesterday that his government has taken a decision to provide an insurance cover to all, a decision which would augur well for sports if materialized.
“We need a system where we look after the interest of these sportsmen and women and as the government we have decided to provide them with an insurance cover,” said President adding that they (athletes) deserved a better life after their retirement.
President Rajapaksa addressing a large gathering at the occasion which coincided with the ceremonial foundation laying ceremony of the proposed synthetic track at the Torrington ground, said that a player based system rather than a system focused on bureaucrats needs to be established in order to develop sports in the country.
“There were times that we had to remind officials of giving preferences to athletes and I hope we can change this system in time to come,” President said adding that the government has spent a large sum of money for sports infrastructure development which includes an eleven grounds during the last four years.
Congratulating the three iconic sportspersons, President said the contribution they have made not only restricted to sports but also various other spheres including the economic growth of the country.