The new appointments to the National Sports Council by Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa have been widely hailed.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardena has been appointed the new Chair of the counci while his former teammate Kumar Sangakkara has been apointed a member.

In addition to them, top coporate leader Kasturi Wilson, Army Commander Shavendra Silva, Rohan Fernando, Julian Bolling – National Swimming Champion Dilantha Malagamuwa – Motor Racing Champion,Supun Weerasinghe, Ruwan Keragala, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Major General Rajitha Ampemohotti Rowena Samarasinghe, Yaswanth Muttetuwegama and Amal Edirisooriya have also been appointed as members.

The newly-appointed Sports Minister has also promised to introduce a National Sports Act to strengthen the sports arena.