A second int'l athletic stadium

Sri Lanka will soon have its second international athletic stadium, benefiting thousands of less-affluent youth and schoolchildren. The brainchild of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) President, Major General Palitha Fernando, the newly constructed Diyagama International Stadium would soon be ready to host world class track and field meets.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week visited the site to supervise the construction work of the stadium. Also accompanying the sports-loving President was his second son and Navy officer, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the former S.Thomas' and Sri Lanka Youth rugby captain. President was happy to see the construction work of the mega project nearing completion.

What is unique in the Diyagama International Stadium project is that it's becoming a reality as a result of 100 percent labour contribution by Sri Lanka Army. Speaking during the inspection tour to Diyagama International Stadium, President Rajapaksa said our valiant soldiers have proved that they are not only unbeatable in the battlefront but also have superior engineering skills by constructing the massive stadium in double quick time. A happy President inspected the smooth construction of the project and thanked all those who made untiring efforts to make the project a reality.

President Rajapaksa had another reason to feel happy as he had been the President of the AASL 12 years ago.

Golden era

The golden era of Sri Lanka athletics began when President Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's athletic chief in 1997, with Susanthika Jayasinghe winning Sri Lanka's first ever IAAF World Championship medal - a silver in women's 200m in Athens 1997 behind Ukrainian Zahana Pintusevich. One cannot forget the immense contribution the President made as the AASL chief to take Sri Lanka track and field to the world circuit.

The President was particularly happy to see the international stadium being constructed outside Colombo as it would benefit a large number of less affluent people in the outstations.

This mega project would not have been possible if not for the untiring efforts and dedication of our soldiers who beat all odds to make the stadium project a reality. That cut down the construction costs by nearly 50 per cent, taking a big burden off the AASL. Their superior skills, dedication and devotion have been a blessing not only to the AASL but also to the entire nation. A big thank you should go to those dedicated soldiers who sweated for months to make sure the nation gets only its second international stadium and the first outside Colombo city.

Huge inspiration

The support extended by the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka has been a huge inspiration to those soldiers who were the architects of the success story. Due to their contribution, a project which once looked an impossible and gigantic task was successfully completed. Needless to say that Diyagama International Stadium would be a big boost for local athletics and venue would definitely be a breeding shade for outstanding young athletes.

Sri Lanka's first and the only international athletic stadium so far was constructed way back in 1991 when Sri Lanka hosted the Vth South Asian Games in Colombo. The then existing Sugathadasa Stadium, which was mainly used for football, was redeveloped into a fully fledged international stadium with a world class running track. Our athletes justified the nation's contribution towards the redevelopment of the Sugathadasa Stadium by winning a record 15 gold medals in athletics at the Vth South Asian Games, which still is a record after 18 long years.

Heavy traffic

The new Diyagama International Stadium will have only the second artificial 400m running track in Sri Lanka. This would save time of the outstation athletes, who should no longer come to Colombo overcoming heavy traffic under tiring conditions. It would also provide an ideal atmosphere for the athletes to train under ideal and calm conditions.

Not only the outstation athletes and schoolchildren but soldiers too could make best out of the project as it is conveniently located close to Panagoda Army camp. Hence, the Diyagama International Stadium would be the biggest gift to next generation athletes and would no doubt make way to generate talented athletes in future. This would also enable Sri Lanka Army Sports Club to strengthen its powerbase in Sri Lanka athletics.

The world athletic chief Lamine Diack visited the project a few months back and the IAAF would also make a notable contribution towards the project. AASL Secretary Prema Pinnawale played a key role in getting down the IAAF President to Colombo, the first ever visit by a world athletic chief to Sri Lanka. The IAAF has agreed to assist Sri Lanka with the international class equipment to be installed at the stadium.

Longfelt need

A new international athletic venue for Sri Lanka has been a long-felt need but hardly anyone took the challenge of constructing a new stadium due to huge finances it needed. But Major General Palitha Fernando had courage and confidence in his team. He made use of all forms of resources the AASL could obtain to embark on this massive project. He has had many sleepless nights, making regular visits to the venue and working on a limited budget. Major General not only took a few risks in visiting the venue too often but also handed finances in a transparent manner, making everything a public secret to his committee and the membership of the AASL.

The stadium will completed with an ideal timing as our athletes are due to compete at the Asian Games in China next year and the London Olympic Games in 2012. With the retirements of Susanthika Jayasinghe, Sriyani Kulawansa, Damayanthi Darsha and Sugath Tillakaratne Sri Lanka is looking for fresh talent to fill the vacuum.

We earnestly hope the new Diyagama International Stadium would be a happy hunting venue for Sri Lanka athletes and take local track and field to a new dimension.