Cabinet has greenlit a project to develop playgrounds in state-sector schools across the country, aiming to boost student participation in sports and promote physical, social, and mental well-being.

Currently, only about five percent of the country’s 10,096 government schools have standard-sized playgrounds. 

To address this shortcoming, the project will establish at least one standard playground with a 400-meter running track in each education zone.

Under the plan, one national school and three provincial schools in each of the 25 districts is to be developed, covering 400 schools over four years. 

The initiative will be implemented between 2026 and 2029 at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,010.50 million.

The proposal, presented by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in her capacity as Minister of Education, received Cabinet approval.