Construction of the Jaffna International Cricket Grounds is set to recommence once changes in cricket administration are resolved, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said.

“Work on the Jaffna International Cricket Grounds has been halted. This is because of the changes made to the cricket administration. Work related to the cricket grounds has been temporarily halted,” he said. 

The Minister noted that funds had already been allocated and the foundation stone was laid in January for the project, which included an indoor stadium, with the intention of completing the facility by September, but a court case was filed by politically motivated groups. 

However, the legal challenge blocked progress, leaving the people of Jaffna at a disadvantage.

“The people of Jaffna are the ones who will suffer a loss because of this move, and these political groups have destroyed the chances of young children of Jaffna. We urge not to destroy children’s dreams and sports opportunities for political motives,” Minister Gamage said, speaking at a public event. (Newswire)

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Swiss National Champion gymnast Soleil Nadinya Tauscher and her younger sister Luna Durangi Tauscher, both of Sri Lankan heritage, met Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage on Wednesday (22), expressing their strong wish to represent Sri Lanka on the international stage.

The sisters, who train with the Genève Gymnastique Artistique club in Switzerland, are the daughters of German national Gerhard Tauscher and Sri Lankan national Luvini Ranasinghe.

Ten‑year‑old Soleil, already a standout in the sport, clinched the Under‑11 Swiss National Championship title at the Swiss Nationals 2026, earning recognition as Swiss Champion U11. 

Her eight‑year‑old sister Luna is also emerging as a promising gymnast, having demonstrated notable success at competitive levels.

During the meeting, the young athletes conveyed their enthusiasm to bring pride to their motherland by competing under the Sri Lankan flag. 

Minister Gamage warmly welcomed their commitment and assured that the Ministry would extend full support and assistance for their sporting journey.

The athletes’ parents and Ministry officials were present at the occasion, marking a significant moment for Sri Lanka’s sporting future. (Newswire)

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Plans are underway to transform Badulla into a full‑fledged sports city, with phased development of its main playground into a modern sports complex.

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage led a special inspection tour and discussions on upgrading facilities, including rapid improvements to football and rugby grounds starting next year. 

Proposals also include converting the existing garbage ground into an indoor sports venue and preparing a center pitch at the Badulla cricket ground to host competitive matches.

The Minister and his team inspected the Vincent Dias playground, Badulla football ground, cricket ground, basketball court, and swimming pool.

“We came here today to look into the shortcomings of the main playground in Badulla town. We saw that there are many shortcomings. Accordingly, together with the Mayor of Badulla Municipal Council and all officials, we plan to fix these shortcomings and create a good sports complex for Badulla. We expect to take several necessary initial steps within this year itself,” Minister Gamage said, speaking to the media after the tour. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka will host the inaugural India–Sri Lanka Women’s Deaf Cricket Series from July 7 to 13, marking the first time such a tournament is being staged in the country’s sporting history.

The milestone event was a key focus during a meeting yesterday (22) between the executive committee of the Sri Lanka Deaf Cricket Association and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.

Discussions also covered preparations for the 2027 World Cup in Nepal, the Asian Cup T20I tournament to be held in Sri Lanka with eight participating nations, and the official registration process of the Association. 

The Minister assured his fullest support to elevate Sri Lanka’s deaf cricketers to the international stage. (Newswire)

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Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has announced that disciplinary action will be taken against the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation after the national team was unable to obtain visas for their scheduled Asian Rugby Championship clash against South Korea, leading to the cancellation of the match last week.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister stressed that the responsibility for securing visas and tickets lies entirely with the respective sports federation, not the Ministry. 

He noted that federations cannot wait until the last minute to request visas, calling the incident a clear case of negligence.

“The Sports Ministry does not intervene in visa or ticket processes. If funding is provided, we cover expenses, but team selection and visa arrangements are solely the federation’s responsibility. The Federation cannot request for a visa on Monday if the team is to travel on Wednesday. This is the Federation’s negligence. This is not a government issue, it is an issue of the Federation or Association. We will take disciplinary action, as we have done before,” Gamage said.

The Minister added that such lapses cannot be allowed to continue, warning that federations often attempt to shift blame onto the Ministry when failures occur. 

He reiterated that the Rugby Federation must be held accountable for the cancellation, with the incident having drawn attention in Parliament as well. (Newswire)

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Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage said cricket will be developed with the aim of securing a World Cup victory.

Speaking to the media, the Minister said that a nine‑member committee has been appointed to drive the effort.

“There are outsiders willing to assist us. I am confident we can resolve the issues and restore the glory of Sri Lankan cricket,” he said.

Gamage noted that the government’s policy is ‘A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life’, adding that sports are vital to a fulfilling life.

“It is our responsibility to develop sports. We will deliver on our promise to develop cricket,” he added. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s javelin star Rumesh Tharanga, who recently set a new meet record of 89.28m at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya, met Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage on Monday (27), accompanied by his coach.

According to the Sports Ministry, Rumesh and his coach expressed their gratitude to the Minister for the financial and technical assistance provided through the “Mission Olympic” program. 

Rumesh noted that the support has been a source of strength for athletes striving for international success, including himself. 

Minister Gamage commended Rumesh’s achievements and discussed plans for upcoming tournaments. 

Recognizing his potential to win an Olympic medal for Sri Lanka, the Minister pledged full financial allocations, foreign training, and other facilities.

“Rumesh Tharanga is an athlete who has brought Olympic hope to this country. It is the responsibility of the Ministry to provide maximum support to him and his coach,” Minister Gamage stated. (Newswire)

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The motorcycle tour organized by Buzzword International Lanka Pvt Ltd to promote Sri Lankan tourism concluded on Thursday (16), with members of Malaysia’s ‘ShadowFax’ Motorcycle Club, comprising leading businessmen, taking part. 

Following the ride, the group met Sri Lankan Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, highlighting the event’s role in strengthening tourism ties and fostering international collaboration.

​Buzzword International, which has consistently organised ‘Colombo Bike Week’ since 2013, brought together a group of prominent Malaysian entrepreneurs to Sri Lanka for this event. This marks the second time the ShadowFax team has toured Sri Lanka, following a similar visit in 2016.

​Led by Dato’ Muruga Nantham, an experienced biker of 25 years, the team traversed the island riding high-capacity American-made ‘Harley Davidson’ motorcycles ranging from 1500cc to 1900cc. 

The tour, held from April 06 to 17, covered Colombo, Jaffna, Passikudah, Arugam Bay, Mahiyanganaya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, and Hikkaduwa.

​The tour generated over USD 100,000 in foreign exchange for Sri Lanka, covering hotel accommodation, airfare, fuel, meals, personal expenses, and donations to local charities.

​Speaking at the special meeting held yesterday, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that attracting such high-net-worth tourists contributes immensely to the tourism industry. 

Seventeen members of the ‘Bikerholics’ Motorbike Club of Sri Lanka also joined the convoy to support the visiting team.

​The Chairman of Buzzword International Lanka, Tilak Leslie, and Managing Director, Neil Hassim, expressed their intention to organize more large-scale international motorcycle tours in the future with the full support of government institutions, including the Ministry of Sports, the Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Police Department, and the Customs Department. (Newswire)

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Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage says discussions are underway with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), hinting at an interim committee or an authorized official. 

Addressing the media today, Minister Gamage revealed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been directly involved in this discussion. 

“We have already prepared a plan to develop the sport of cricket in Sri Lanka and to enable victories. We have already completed some parts of the plan. As the government, we will step in to improve the sport by implementing the plan. It is our responsibility to ensure the development of the sport. We cannot leave it in the hands of some other entity or person. This is the government’s responsibility, and we will work towards it,” he said. 

The Sports Minister further noted that several measures are being taken in this regard, including discussions with the ICC, stating, “We have no reason to suspend the sport of Cricket in Sri Lanka. We must develop the sport while maintaining it. We will definitely get involved to make the necessary changes.”

When inquired by a journalist whether the administration of the SLC would be handed over to an interim committee or an authorized official, Minister Gamage said that currently discussions were underway in this regard. 

“The President is also directly involved in this discussion. Within the next week or two, we will decide on a suitable system in this regard,” he said. 

The Sports Minister added that the government and the President are of the view that the sport of cricket must be improved. (Newswire)

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Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, stated that the government’s vision to transform Sri Lanka into a world-class water sports hub, speaking at the conclusion of the 2025 National Surfing Competition held in Hikkaduwa.

The championship, organized by the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka (SFSL), took place from 15-17 January 2026, at the Hikkaduwa Main Point. Organizers had postponed the event due to adverse weather conditions last year, deciding to conduct it at the beginning of this year.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Minister Gamage stated that the Ministry is committed to providing continuous financial and technical support to develop surfing in Sri Lanka. 

He emphasized that full sponsorship will be provided for international training programs and upcoming world-class competitions for two young surfers who showcased exceptional talent during the tournament.

He further highlighted that several international-level surfing competitions will be organized in 2026 in collaboration with the SFSL to promote sports tourism.

“Surfing is not just a hobby; it is a major national sport capable of achieving numerous international victories,” the Minister remarked, adding that the Ministry is ready to provide the necessary support to elevate Sri Lankan athletes to a global standard.

Weligama and Mambos Surfing Clubs delivered outstanding performances during the event, and based on these results, the Sri Lankan squad for the Asian Games in Japan in August 2026 will be selected.

Final Results:

• National Men: 1st: Lakshitha Madushan (Weligama), 2nd: Lesitha Prabath (Arugam Bay), 3rd: Kanapathy Ramesh Jay Hayllar (Arugam Bay), 4th: Sachin Sandharu Tharaka (Weligama)
• National Women: 1st: Anantharasa Ammu Jansee (Arugam Bay), 2nd: Uswaththage Senuri Madhushani (Weligama), 3rd: Ishi Mosha Rajapaksha (Weligama)
• Junior Boys (U-18): 1st: Minami Sato (Mambos), 2nd: Ashen Ravishka (Weligama), 3rd: Sahil Anjana (Mambos)
• Junior Boys (U-15): 1st: Methuja Methsara (Weligama), 2nd: Pawan Madusanka (Weligama), 3rd: Theo Amier (Weligama)
• Junior Girls: 1st: Sayuni Anjana M.D. (Mambos)

Open Divisions (International):

• Open Men: 1st: Kanapathy Ramesh Jay Hayllar (SL), 2nd: Lakshitha Madushan (SL), 3rd: Keller Weight (Australia)
• Open Women: 1st: Crystal Jade Davies (Australia), 2nd: Anna Tikhonova (Russia), 3rd: Anna Wotton (England)
• Open Masters: 1st: Dan Walton (Australia), 2nd: Sergio Martins (Portugal), 3rd: Troy Ferry (France)
• Open Girls: 1st: Zoe Jaron (Switzerland), 2nd: Grace Antoni (Germany), 3rd: Sayuni Anjana M.D. (SL)

The Ministry has pledged full support to ensure Sri Lanka’s surfers gain international recognition, while the SFSL continues to strengthen the sport’s role in sports tourism. (Newswire)

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Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has emphasized that no destruction of the forest will be permitted during the development of the Diyagama Sports Complex.

Minister Gamage further stated that development must be carried out while minimizing environmental impact.

He added that steps will be taken to promote the natural forest ecosystem surrounding the sports complex as an “Eco-friendly Tourism” zone.

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports made the remarks after inspecting the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex on Wednesday (07 Jan). 

Member of Parliament Aruna Panagoda, members of the Maha Sangha, government officials, and environmental activists accompanied the minister. 

Following the inspection tour, extensive discussions were held regarding the development activities to be carried out while preserving the natural forest ecosystem surrounding the sports complex. 

During the inspection of the forest interior, the Sports Minister highlighted that unauthorized entry by outsiders has led to illegal waste disposal and activities harmful to the environment, causing damage to the forest. 

Accordingly, the minister decided to take immediate steps to install protective fencing along the forest boundaries and implement necessary measures to prevent unauthorized entry and criminal activities.

Furthermore, an agreement was reached to involve the “One Million Volunteers” program, conducted by the National Youth Services Council, to clean and develop this zone in collaboration with environmental activists.

Minister Gamage said that, accordingly, the Ministry of Sports and environmental activists will work together in the future to develop the Diyagama Sports Complex and its surroundings while ensuring its protection for future generations. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan female sumo wrestlers secured the Bronze Medal in the Open Weight category at the Commonwealth Sumo Cup 2025 held in Moscow, Russia.

According to the Sports Ministry, the winning team met with the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the Ministry premises on Thursday (18). 

Minister Kumara Gamage extended his heartfelt congratulations to the athletes for their remarkable achievement. 

He further assured the Ministry’s full support for their future endeavours and upcoming international tournaments scheduled for 2026.

​The participating athletes were:

• ​H.D.K. Sandaruvi
• ​H.A.K. Kawsika
• ​P.A.S.S. Lakshani
• ​K.N.V.S.L. Nanayakkara

​The management and coaches of the Sri Lanka National Sumo Association expressed their gratitude to the Minister for his encouragement.

Discussions were held regarding the promotion of Sumo in Sri Lanka and enhancing the talents of athletes to reach international standards. 

Special emphasis was placed on providing international training opportunities for local sportsmen and women.

​The meeting was attended by the officials of the National Sumo Association, including President Yohan Fonseca, Secretary P.G.P. Udayanga, Treasurer Asanka Vishwajith, and Senior Athlete Dinesh Jayasinghe. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has commenced providing financial grants to Sri Lankan athletes under the ‘Mission Olympics 2028’ athlete support programme. 

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said the programme was officially launched yesterday, where the government was granting an athlete a monthly allowance of Rs. 210,000, while a coach receives Rs. 100,000 per month.

“Under the ‘Mission Olympic 2028’ initiative, starting this April, we’re categorizing athletes into four groups and paving the way toward the Olympics. Our hope is to win a medal at the 2028 Olympics. Yes, we will win, as a nation,” the Sports Minister said in a statement on social media. 

In September this year, Cabinet approval was granted for the implementation of the “Mission Olympics” programme, under which athletes will be contracted until the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and will be provided with the necessary financial and other support for their training. 

The Ministry of Sports has planned the “Mission Olympics 2028 – Journey to the Rings” to identify athletes who have shown exceptional talent and those who have Olympic hopes for the future, providing them with the necessary financial and other facilities through this program. (Newswire)

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Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka.

At the revival meeting of the Association held in Parliament this week (06 Aug), HMP Hector Appuhamy was elected as the Secretary of the Association.

The appointments were made during a meeting of the Sri Lanka-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Association held under the patronage of the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. 

The Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Sri Lanka, Damiano Francovigh, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. Several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament were also present on this occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne highlighted the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Italy, which dates back to the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in May 1952. 

He noted that over the years, this relationship has evolved into a strong partnership covering political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people dimensions. He emphasized that the revival of the Friendship Association reaffirms the shared commitment of both nations to promoting democratic values and fostering meaningful engagement between the two legislatures.

Italian Ambassador Damiano Francovigh congratulated the newly elected office bearers and expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm shown by Members of Parliament in engaging with the Friendship Association. 

He also read out a congratulatory message from the President of the Italy-South Asia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Union. The Ambassador further noted that the collaboration between Italy and Sri Lanka spans a diverse range of sectors, all contributing to mutual growth, and emphasized that this renewed cooperation lays a solid foundation for a promising future together.

In his remarks, the newly elected President, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, expressed his gratitude to the members for electing him and noted that the Association would serve as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. He also invited members to actively participate in the initiatives of the Association to ensure the success of its objectives.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the newly elected Secretary, MP Hector Appuhamy, thanked the Speaker, the Ambassador, and fellow members for their support and expressed his commitment to work collaboratively to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Italy.

Prior to the meeting, the Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka met with the Speaker to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Italy. 

During the meeting, both parties focused on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as trade, tourism, culture, and people-to-people connections. 

The Ambassador also informed the Speaker about the upcoming visit of the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka in September, noting that this visit is expected to pave the way for further initiatives to deepen bilateral ties. (Newswire)

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Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, has been elected President of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka.

According to a Parliament statement, MP Ravindra Bandara was elected Secretary of the Association.

The appointments were made during the revival meeting of the Association held at the Parliament recently (09 May), under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. 

The High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. The occasion was also attended by Deputy Speaker, Dr. Rizvie Salih, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the Secretary General of Parliament.

Both delegations highlighted the longstanding bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, rooted in shared historical, cultural, and economic ties. They reaffirmed their mutual support in international forums on issues of common concern.

The representatives from both countries expressed a strong commitment to further enhancing cooperation in emerging areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and renewable energy. 

It was emphasised that the revived Parliamentary Friendship Association would serve as a vital platform for strengthening engagement between the two nations, extending beyond parliamentary diplomacy to broader people-to-people ties. (Newswire)

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Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage today clapped back at former Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, stating that Sri Lanka was still paying a large fine imposed by World Rugby due to an incident during the latter’s rugby playing days.

Addressing Parliament today, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage revealed that the Sports Ministry was paying a fine of 5000 Sterling pounds per year due to the involvement of Fijian players during a Rugby match in 2014.

“In May 2014, during the time when rugby was played by the ‘Babys’, three Fijian players were brought down to play Rugger for Sri Lanka. They were brought to win a match in a tournament in Colombo. When World Rugby came to know about this years later, they imposed a fine of 50,000 Sterling Pounds on Sri Lanka. We are still paying this fine,” the Sports Minister said. 

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage made the remarks after MP Namal Rajapaksa had mocked his recent visit to a supermarket, instead of looking into Sports Affairs.

Speaking in Parliament, MP Namal Rajapaksa requested the Sports Minister to look into the meals provided at the hostel for national athletes by the Sports Ministry.

“While also visiting supermarkets as a part of your daily household responsibilities, please visit the dorms of the hostel at the Sports Ministry. There is an issue of whether the athletes are being provided nutritional food. We know as ministers you’ll have a lot of work to do. It is difficult to manage these while looking at housework too,” MP Rajapaksa said. 

MP Namal further said the hostel is only 100 metres from the Sports Ministry and requested the Sports Minister to address the matter. (Newswire)

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Sunil Kumara Gamage today assumed duties as the 21st Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka.

The Minister assumed duties at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in Colombo.

Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage entered Parliament via the National Peoples’ Power’s (NPP) National List. (Newswire)

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