The opening ceremony of the 38th All-Island School Athletics Tournament commenced on October 10, 2025, at Diyagama, under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madura Senevirathne. Representing 1,170 schools from across the island and consisting of 525 events, this tournament is considered the foremost sports competition in the school sports arena of Sri Lanka.
Delivering the inaugural address and officially declaring the sports festival open, Dr. Madura Senevirathne, the Deputy Minister, stated that sports activities in schools contribute not only to physical development but also to nurturing students’ personality, decision-making ability, and sense of teamwork.
Further expressing his views, the Deputy Minister noted that as a government that recognizes the importance of sports, plans are currently being formulated to promote athletes from their early stages up to the national level. In addition, he emphasized that one of the key objectives of the government is to implement a program that provides opportunities for children with special needs to engage in sports.
Among the distinguished guests present at the occasion were Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education Mrs. Udara Dikkumbura, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Education Mr. G. G. Anura Abeywickrama, several Zonal Directors of Education, Directors in charge of Physical Education and Sports, trainers, and principals.
