Second international athletic stadium in Diyagama

By Harry Jayachandra

Diyagama ground under construction

Athletics in particular will get a huge boost by the end of this year when a new stadium is completed at Diyagama which is just 22 kilometres from Colombo and five kilometres from Kottawa.

President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) Palitha Fernando speaking to The Sunday Times said; “As you know we only have the Sugathadasa Stadium at the moment. Following a visit to Greece by the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksha who is a keen sportsman himself – wanted a stadium in a picturesque setting.

After looking at different places we found the ideal location at Diyagama. The army is building it and once completed, it will have a nine lane 400 metre track with a thickness of 16 millimetres, a senior and junior pavilion and a 400 metre practice circle with a layer of grass which can also be used by the villages in the area.

Thus they too will have a place for recreation and not get involved in any unwanted activities. Fernando added: “we hope to have the track and the junior pavilion completed by the end of this year. And it is below ground level so spectators can watch proceedings from the embankment.

There will be hostel and all the other facilities needed for an international venue. I believe an international cricket stadium, a cycling velodrome and swimming pools will also be constructed in close proximity.”