Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, a chartered accountant by profession and first-time Member of Parliament has been entrusted with the monumental task of overhauling and revitalising Sri Lanka’s sports sector.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer this week, the Minister outlined his vision for transforming Sri Lanka’s sports landscape, navigating the challenges of corruption and mismanagement. He discussed the Government’s proactive efforts to clean up the sector, support athletes and implement a more transparent and inclusive approach. Minister Gamage also elaborated on his plans for future sports development, including resolving legal disputes within sports federations, improving facilities and building a sustainable system to nurture grassroots talent for long-term success.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: You have been appointed as the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs at a crucial juncture to clean up the mess in sports whether it is in corruption, injustice towards sportsmen and women, unfair selections and political squabbles. What guarantee can there be that things will be turned around?
A: Sri Lanka is a country in crisis. The country is in a state of collapse on all fronts. Its economy, society and political structures have all fallen apart. Sports is within that structure and therefore it cannot remain unscathed from this phenomenon. As a result, the state of sports in Sri Lanka is in a dire condition. The negative impact of the collapsed economy, society and the political system has permeated into sports as well. Corruption, political interference, the absence of a proper system or discipline, lack of Government oversight and poor planning have all taken a toll on sports as well.
These issues have sparked a nationwide debate about whether the Government can step in to revive sports and address these pressing challenges. This Government has come into power with the goal of transforming the country into a developed nation. Sports is also an integral part of this plan. Therefore, we are committed to modernising and developing the country’s sports sector. I have confidence that we can achieve this aim.
Q: What steps do you intend to take to develop the sports sector?
A: Currently, there are 72 sports Federations under the purview of the Ministry of Sports, each grappling with its own unique challenges and issues. Some Federations are entangled in legal battles, others face bans, some lack proper financial records, many have failed to hold AGMs and remain inactive. Over the past several months, we have thoroughly studied these challenges, engaged with the Federations through discussions, worked to resolve their legal disputes and facilitated the process of holding their Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
Before we could implement our plan for sports development, we had to address and intervene in these unexpected issues that required immediate attention. We have planned to reorganise and properly establish several of these federations. Numerous federations face issues related to office-bearers, where the focus has shifted away from sports and towards power struggles over positions due to the money and benefits circulating within these Associations. This has fostered a culture of conflict that persists amid the ongoing crisis.
As a temporary solution, we have initiated discussions with these Federations. In some cases, legal disputes required negotiation and agreements to be reached, especially since international bodies such as the IOC, FIFA and World Rugby are closely monitoring these developments.
We have acknowledged in our manifesto the need to amend the 1973 Sports Act. We are currently in discussions with experts and stakeholders to introduce a more effective Sports Act. This process cannot be rushed; it requires thorough study and time to implement meaningful amendments. Our focus will be on developing sports, as the Government allocates significant funds every year. Sports and our athletes are invaluable national assets and they cannot remain the personal domain of a select few. Therefore, we are committed to resolving these issues from all angles, with the goal of advancing and developing sports in the country.
Q: How do you plan to address the issues surrounding the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), which is currently embroiled in controversy and is there a plan to ensure Sri Lanka wins medals at the Olympic Games in the future?
A: The issues regarding the office-bearers of NOCSL existed long before we came into power. Committees and investigative bodies have been appointed and there are reports from the investigation committee, as well as findings from the NOCSL ethics committee. Complaints have even been lodged with the Criminal Investigations Department. Despite all of this, previous Ministers of Sports failed to take action, allowing the situation to escalate into a deeper crisis. As a result, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) halted funding to Sri Lanka, signalling a warning that we could be banned from international competitions if this continues. This serves as a wake-up call for officials to take notice.
The NOCSL failed to make the necessary decisions, and we were on the brink of a ban by the IOC, which forced us to step in. Based on the recommendations, we temporarily suspended one official using the powers vested in the Act to aid the investigations. This action is not driven by personal grievances, but rather to facilitate investigations and address the findings from the reports. Our intervention is in the best interest of our sports and athletes as we are at risk of losing vital opportunities in athletics and the Olympics.
As a Government, we have a comprehensive plan to develop Sports. However, to successfully implement this, we need a well-functioning NOCSL. If infighting persists within the NOCSL, we won’t be able to advance sports development. No matter how well we plan, those in these Associations must also have a genuine love for the country and for Sports to help us move our initiatives forward.
We cannot expect to win medals overnight but we are confident that within the Government’s time in power, we will be able to develop sports in Sri Lanka and secure a few Olympic medals as we progress.
Q: Netball and rugby are two sports where we excel at Asian level. Are there any specific programs in place to further develop these sports?
A: As for these sports, we are still dealing with many issues. As I mentioned earlier, before we can focus on developing Sports, we must resolve these challenges. World Rugby was on the verge of banning us, but we engaged in discussions and managed to restart the sport. Now, we are planning to participate in international matches, such as those in Malaysia soon. However, even as we look forward to these opportunities, we still face issues with office-bearers and AGM disputes.
This is truly tragic. Instead of focusing on the development of sports, we are forced to resolve these ongoing conflicts. The officials seem more preoccupied with these issues than with the growth of the sport itself. How can we develop sports under these circumstances?
We have brought the relevant parties in for discussions and even sought advice from the Attorney General’s Department, putting in significant effort to resolve these matters. As I said before, before we can implement our development plans, we are compelled to address and resolve these pressing issues first.
Q: There have been recent reports suggesting that the Ministry plans to change the name of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Diyagama. This proposal has received mixed reactions, with some criticising it while others have expressed support. What is your perspective on this?
A: We have no issues with the name itself. However, despite being labelled an international stadium, the construction remains far from complete. The pavilion and indoor stadium are only partially built. Seventy-five percent of the pool remains incomplete. Even the track that was finished is now being removed, making it unable to hold international events. Our priority is to renovate and complete these facilities. The focus should not be on the name but on what has actually been accomplished. If the stadium is named after someone, then the infrastructure must reflect that significance.
This is a project that has resulted in the wastage of public funds. We even discovered an unused generator sitting in a container, left to deteriorate. This neglect spans across previous ministers who failed to address the issue. That is why I consider this situation tragic.
The Government has now allocated a budget for the renovation of the stadium, with the goal of bringing it to a functional level where sports can be conducted. Initially, we plan to focus on completing the cricket ground, swimming pool, and athletics track. While the original intention was to develop it into an international stadium, we are now actively seeking investors and engaging in discussions to move the project forward.
The stadium is on prime land spanning 25 acres, and it has the potential to be a significant asset for sports in Sri Lanka. Our vision is to transform it into the best international stadium in Asia within the next 2 to 3 years.
Q: There have been some cases of corruption involved in sports, like the construction of the Hambantota Suriyawewa stadium and the squandering of millions of dollars over the unsuccessful bid to host the Commonwealth Games in Hambantota in 2018. Does the NPP plan to probe these cases?
A: There are many construction projects that were started but never completed, and they have been left to deteriorate. We have begun working on some of these, with plans to complete them this year using tax revenue from the people. Our goal is to develop these facilities for the benefit of the public.
As a Ministry, we have also set up a Ministry Corruption Investigation Unit. This unit has been tasked with investigating all instances of corruption and irregularities, both within the sports sector and beyond—such as in district-level sports associations, Sugathadasa Stadium, and the Youth Council. There is a lot to address in this regard, and we are currently reviewing these matters to determine the appropriate course of action.
No one involved in corruption will be given a free pass, and we will ensure that those responsible are held accountable. While this process will take some time, we are committed to thoroughly investigating these issues and taking decisive action. Rest assured, we will follow through on this commitment.
Q: Some companies are openly advertising online betting on sports encounters. Is this legal and sanctioned by the Government?
A: The issue has come to the attention of the Government, and we intend to study its impact on sports in Sri Lanka. We have not yet fully discussed a comprehensive plan to address this, as there are many other pressing matters at hand.
Sports should not be seen solely as a means to win or make money; it is a culture. Unfortunately, the true sports culture in Sri Lanka has been lost. What was once a pursuit of passion and skill has now increasingly become a money-making venture, almost akin to gambling. It is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that sports do not deteriorate to this level.
Q: Para-athletes and para-sports organisations have expressed that they receive minimal support from both the authorities and corporate sponsors. Are there any plans to address and improve this situation?
A: We have held discussions with para-athletes, and as a Government, we give them special attention. The NPP was the first party to bring a visually impaired MP to Parliament. Recently, we sent a team of four para-athletes to Dubai for a tournament. We have many athletes who are ranked among the top ten in their respective para-sports which can bring us Olympic wins. To this end we will support them.
Q: What is your vision for sports in Sri Lanka?
A: Our goal is to eliminate corruption from sports and foster a true sports culture in Sri Lanka, one that embodies the spirit of compassion, humanity, and discipline. We aim to integrate sports into the lives of people, creating a culture where it becomes a natural part of their daily routine.
We also plan to develop a professional sports pathway, starting from the school level. Our vision is to establish a Sports Association in every village, providing equipment and support, particularly for underprivileged children with special talent. This will help them progress to the national level one day.
This plan will be implemented across Grama Seva divisions, District Secretariat levels, and Provincial levels, providing athletes with the opportunity to reach the national level with greater ease and support. All sports will be developed along with those that have the potential to achieve Olympic-level and regional-level victories. We are committed to ensuring that sports in Sri Lanka are driven by the right spirit, especially as public funds are being allocated for their development.
