The Government has banned alcohol and drugs at events that use a school’s name or logo.
The ban covers both the promotion and use of alcohol and drugs. It applies to any event linked to a school through its name or logo.
Under Education Ministry Circular No. 2026/10, the ministry will treat such events as school events. This rule also applies when organisers hold an event outside school premises.
The circular allows the Secretary to the Ministry of Education to stop an event immediately if organisers break the new rules.
The ministry introduced the measures after parents raised concerns about students being exposed to alcohol and drugs. Many of the complaints involved major cricket encounters between leading schools.
Mahesh Rathnayake, Deputy Director of the Co-Curricular Guidance and Counseling Branch of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, explained the scope of the new rule.
He said organisers cannot promote or allow alcohol and drugs at events that represent a school or use its logo.
Rathnayake said the ministry considers an event using a school logo as a school event. Therefore, organisers cannot allow intoxicating substances at such events.
The ministry plans to closely monitor compliance with the directive. This will include major school cricket matches.
The new rule extends the ban beyond activities held inside schools. It also covers outside events that use a school’s identity, name or logo.
Last modified: September 5, 2026
