COLOMBO : On my way to the (Keells) Supermarket last Thursday (April 9, 2026),around 10.00 a.m., I observed young students from an international school participating in a sports meet at the Sugathadasa Stadium. This raised serious concerns given the prevailing extreme heat conditions and the explicit advisories issued by the Ministry of Education. in collaboration with the Ministry of Health , urging schools to refrain from outdoor activities during the ongoing heat wave.
Such directives are issued in the interest of safeguarding children from well-documented health risks, including heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory distress. In this context, the decision to proceed with an outdoor sports event appears inconsistent with national guidance and raises important questions regarding compliance and accountability.
It is pertinent to ask whether international schools are adhering to the same regulatory framework and public health advisories as other educational institutions. No category of students is immune to the physiological impacts of extreme heat, and any deviation from recommended precautions may expose them to avoidable harm.
While logistical and financial considerations—such as advance bookings and associated costs—may influence decision-making, these factors should not supersede the paramount responsibility of ensuring student safety and well-being.
This situation underscores the need for strict adherence to official guidelines and greater oversight to ensure that all schools, irrespective of classification, act in accordance with national health and safety directives.
Mohamed Zahran
Colombo
