Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage announced yesterday, 11 January, that Mahinda Rajapaksa’s name will be removed from the international stadium in Diyagama, Homagama. The decision follows allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption surrounding the construction and management of the sports complex, he said.
Speaking during an inspection visit to the stadium, the minister noted that the facility is in a dilapidated state and represents a significant waste of public funds. Gamage revealed plans to revitalise the stadium in partnership with private investors. However, he asserted that no investor is willing to finance the project under the name of Mahinda Rajapaksa, necessitating the renaming of the stadium.
The minister further disclosed that a special investigation is underway into the fraud and corruption allegedly tied to the construction and administration of the stadium. He criticised the Mahinda Rajapaksa Foundation, which managed the facility, and accused figures such as MP Namal Rajapaksa of involvement in its mismanagement.
One notable discovery during the inspection was a generator worth millions of rupees, abandoned in a container for years. The minister also highlighted the lack of proper inventory records for the equipment and facilities at the stadium.
The stadium, now in a state of disrepair, was inaugurated on 21 January 2010 by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The first phase of the project, spanning 126 acres, included a 400-metre nine-lane synthetic track, athletic grounds, football and rugby fields, and a pavilion with a seating capacity of 3,000. Although the estimated cost was Rs. 390 million, the Sri Lanka Army’s 7th Engineering Service Regiment completed the construction at Rs. 118 million.
The second phase, planned to feature an indoor stadium, swimming pool, and international cricket ground, was expected to be completed by the end of the 2010 but now remains stalled.
The project was funded by the Mahinda Rajapaksa Foundation, with claims that it was completed with minimal environmental impact, according to the website of Sri Lanka Army.
Minister Gamage concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to investigate these irregularities and ensure accountability. He expressed optimism that private sector investment would help restore the stadium to its former glory under a new name and management structure.
