The Ministry of Education has imposed a complete ban on the promotion and consumption of drugs and alcohol at any programme or event organised using a school emblem.
The directive has been issued under Circular No. 2026/10, which empowers the Secretary to the Ministry of Education to immediately halt or ban any school-affiliated event found to be violating the regulations.
Mahesh Ratnayake, Deputy Director of the Co-curricular Guidance and Counselling Branch of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, announced the new measures during a press briefing held at the “Rata Ma Ekata” national operation headquarters.
The decision follows repeated complaints from parents that students are being exposed to and drawn towards substance abuse during major annual school sporting events, particularly prominent cricket encounters.
Ratnayake said any event conducted under a school’s name or using its emblem will be considered an official school function, regardless of the nature of the event.
Accordingly, the promotion, sale or consumption of intoxicating substances will not be permitted at such events, while the Ministry will implement monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance.
He stressed that the new regulations are aimed at protecting schoolchildren from exposure to drugs and alcohol and ensuring that school events remain safe environments for students.
