• Minister to probe irregularities and prosecute those found guilty 

Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage said that a special investigation will be launched into alleged fraud and corruption linked to the construction of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium at Diyagama, Homagama.

He made this revelation, having undertaken a recent inspection visit to the venue, to look into its current deteriorating state.

He said the proposed inquiries will aim to uncover irregularities, such as exorbitant costs, use of inferior quality materials and misappropriation of funds running into millions of rupees.

He asserted that officials responsible for these malpractices and irregularities, of the past regimes, will be held accountable for their actions and warned that those found guilty, will be legally prosecuted.

Minister Gamage who was accompanied by his two deputy ministers, made these observations, addressing a media briefing, held after the conclusion of his inspection tour of the now dilapidated and abandoned sports complex.

The stadium which was originally designed to serve as a multi-purpose venue for athletics, cricket and a few other sports, has reportedly suffered from poor maintenance, underutilisation and lack of adequate infrastructure, since its inauguration in 2010. 

The minister highlighted that the current state of the stadium, was ‘a massive disservice’, to the country’s athletes and sports followers.

Built at a significant cost, the stadium currently has emerged as a white elephant and become a symbol of wanton waste of resources and poor management. 

Gamage disclosed that his ministry intends to invite private sector investors to join forces with his Government, in developing and maintaining the complex effectively.

But, he emphasised that potential investors could be dissuaded from tying up with such an endeavour, if the venue’s current name were to be kept.

“No investor will want to align their product with a politically controversial name,” the subject minister noted. 

Hence, he opined that the Government will consider renaming the complex, as part of a wider effort to revamp the sporting facility, having overcome its state of neglect and disrepair.

The minister added that once refurbished, the Diyagama Stadium will be transformed into a state-of-the-art sporting venue, capable of hosting both national and international events.

He also requested all stakeholders, including local sports associations and community leaders to support the Government’s endeavour, to breathe new life to the complex.

He further stressed the Government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability throughout its redevelopment process.

Observers reckon the minister’s decision to renovate the complex marks a seismic shift in the Government’s approach to sports infrastructure, focusing on public-private partnerships, to overcome the financial and operational challenges faced by state-run facilities.

Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thillakaratne and Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekera, were also involved with Gamage, during the visit to the now decrepit sports complex.