News
Prime Minister Directs the Vesting of 5 Sports Facilities to the Public Without Pomp and Ceremony
Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister and Minister of Women, Child and Youth Affairs, and Sports, has directed the Director General of Sports to open five newly completed sports facilities in Colombo, Matale, Bingiriya, and Omanthai to the public without the customary formal ceremonies.
These projects were completed during the period late August and early September. This thoughtful decision by the Hon. Prime Minister, in line with the policies of the new government, was communicated during her first meeting with the heads of departments under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, held on September 27, at the Ministry of Sports.
The Secretary to the Hon. Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. K. Mahesan, were also present. In response, the Director General of Sports, Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando is taking immediate steps to make these facilities available to school children, youth, and athletes across the country.
The department invites sports-loving Sri Lankans to help maintain these facilities at the highest standards and to safeguard them for future generations, recognizing the significant public funds invested by the government.
The five sports facilities completed by the Department of Sports Development are as follows:
- The Olympic-Level Blue Polytan Hockey AstroTurf in Colombo.
- The Olympic-Level Blue Polytan Hockey AstroTurf in Matale.
- The 50-meter Swimming Pool at the North Western Sports Complex in Bingiriya.
- The 25-meter Swimming Pool at the Vavuniya District Sports Complex in Omanthai.
- The Multi-Sport Indoor Stadium at the Vavuniya District Sports Complex in Omanthai.
Sri Lanka’s cricket administration has entered a period of transition after the government stepped in to take temporary control of the sport’s governing body.
Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has accepted the resignation of Shammi Silva and the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, marking a significant shift in leadership.
Following the resignations, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that it would assume oversight of cricket administration under the authority granted by the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973. The decision places all operational and administrative matters of SLC under ministerial supervision with immediate effect.
Authorities indicated that the arrangement is temporary and part of a broader effort to stabilise the sport’s administration. A new committee is expected to be appointed in the coming days to examine existing issues and propose structural reforms aimed at improving governance and accountability.
The leadership’s decision to step down was communicated to the government earlier, prompting swift action to ensure continuity in the management of Sri Lanka’s most prominent sport.
The President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Shammi Silva, has officially resigned from his position with immediate effect, according to an announcement released by the board today (29).
In a significant development, all office-bearers and members of the Executive Committee have also stepped down from their respective roles, signaling a complete leadership transition within the governing body.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that the decision has been formally conveyed to Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
No further details were immediately provided regarding the reasons behind the mass resignation or the process for appointing new leadership.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today provided a financial grant to rising javelin thrower Rumesh
Tharanga Pathirage.
This support was extended under the direction of the SLC President Mr. Shammi Silva and
the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, following a request made by the Minister of
Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
Rumesh Tharanga received the grant this evening at the SLC headquarters.
This initiative is part of SLC’s ongoing efforts to support and promote sports beyond cricket,
as well as to assist promising athletes in achieving success at the international level.
Sunil Kumara Gamage Accepts SLC Resignations, Ministry Steps In
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