The programme is being initiated on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena to introduce healthy living through sports and physical training as well as to popularize sports among the people so as to create a sports culture within the country.

The rate of Sri Lankan school children engaged in sports is low as 25% and when it comes to higher education the above percentage reaches low level of more than 8%. As a result and with wrong food habits, doping substances and smoking 68% of deaths alone occur among persons below 65 years of age due to non-communicable diseases.

Hence, the proposal made by Minister of Sports, Dayasiri Jayasekera to implement the above programme with relevant Ministries and Provincial Councils from 25th to 30th of January 2016 for promoting sports in the whole community as mentioned below, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Sports and Physical Fitness Promotion days will be allocated in the following manner:

January 25 - Government and Public Services 

January 26 - Education, Higher Education and Highways, Youth and Women’s Affairs 

January 27 - Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine

January 28 - Security Forces and Private enterprises

January 29 - Sports Organizations, Sports Associations and Sports Federations

January 30 - Sports and Physical Fitness Promotion special day