The 2025 Kreeda Shakthi Scholarship Program was officially launched today (May 28) under the leadership of Youth and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and Deputy Minister Suganth Thilakaratne. This initiative, overseen by the Department of Sports Development, aims to grant scholarships to 900 young athletes, aged 18 to 20, who have demonstrated exceptional talent in 21 selected sports disciplines at the national junior level. In its first phase, over 300 athletes received their scholarships.

Speaking at the event, Minister Gamage emphasized that Sri Lanka does not need athletes who can be "bought with money," but rather players driven by passion, integrity, and discipline. He stated that the government is committed to creating opportunities for talented athletes to progress on merit. Deputy Minister Thilakaratne further noted that victories earned through banned stimulants or shortcuts are temporary, urging athletes to focus on genuine training and personal development to achieve lasting success.

He also highlighted the growing trend of students abandoning sports due to academic pressure, stressing the importance of balancing both education and sports. The deputy minister expressed hope that this scholarship program would motivate young athletes to remain engaged in sports while pursuing their education.