Roshan Mahanama criticized the planned building of the High-Performance Center in Matara without knowing the facts, prompting Pramodaya Wickramasinghe to set the record straight on its vital role in cricket development.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Roshan Mahanama has found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after his misinformed opposition to the construction of a High-Performance Cricket Center in Matara. Taking to social media, Mahanama questioned the need for such an initiative, alleging that the funds would be better spent on upgrading existing facilities rather than constructing new cricketing infrastructure.
However, his World Cup-winning teammate Pramodya Wickramasinghe, currently the President of the Matara Sports Club, swiftly set the record straight, exposing Mahanama’s lack of understanding of the project’s scope and significance.
Mahanama’s Outburst Without Facts
Mahanama’s Facebook post criticized the initiative, arguing that Sri Lanka already has numerous grounds, particularly in the Southern Province, and that resources should be directed towards improving them rather than building new stadiums. He went so far as to suggest that such developments were motivated by vested interests rather than a genuine attempt to uplift the sport.
He also made an appeal to the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to scrutinize the project, insinuating that it was not in the best interest of Sri Lankan cricket.
Wickramasinghe Clarifies the True Purpose of the Project
In response, Pramodya Wickramasinghe issued a statement debunking Mahanama’s claims, explaining that the Matara High-Performance Cricket Center was never intended to be another lavish stadium but rather a much-needed training and development facility aimed at reviving Southern Province’s cricketing excellence.
According to Wickramasinghe, Matara has historically been a breeding ground for top cricketers, but its contribution to the national cricketing pipeline has diminished in recent years due to the lack of proper infrastructure.
The Uyanwatte Stadium, the main cricket venue in Matara, is a multi-purpose ground that is also used for other sports, making it difficult to maintain first-class cricket standards. Despite numerous politicians, ministers, and cricketing authorities overseeing the Matara District Cricket Association (DCA) over the years, none have taken steps to address this issue until now.
A Well-Planned National Cricketing Strategy
The High-Performance Center is part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) National Pathway Program, which aims to establish a first-class ground in every district and an HPC in every province. Given the limitations of the Galle International Stadium which is restricted due to UNESCO heritage site regulations and the remote location of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) in Hambantota, Matara was deemed the ideal location for the Southern Province’s HPC.
Debunking Mahanama’s Misinformation
Wickramasinghe further emphasized that SLC had been planning to establish these High-Performance Centers across the country for years, and the Matara initiative aligns with that vision. He expressed disappointment that misinformed individuals within the cricketing fraternity had misrepresented the project, leading to unwarranted criticism from Mahanama.
“This is not about building another international stadium but about providing a structured, high-performance training facility for young cricketers in the Southern Province,” Wickramasinghe clarified.
Additionally, the High-Performance Center will go beyond cricket training, offering education in areas such as sports medicine, IT, personality development, English proficiency, cricketing rules, coaching aptitude, physiotherapy, strength & conditioning, and coach education, essential disciplines that Sri Lanka’s cricketing structure currently lacks.
A Crucial Requirement for Sri Lanka’s Future in World Cricket
With Sri Lanka set to co-host the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup with India. A country is required to have a minimum of five floodlit stadiums if it is to host it as a single nation. The development of the Matara High-Performance Center aligns with this long-term goal and will ensure Sri Lanka remains a viable host for future global cricketing events.
Mahanama Urged to Focus on His Charitable Endeavors
Mahanama, who has been widely respected for his humanitarian work through the Roshan Mahanama Trust, has been advised to maintain his dignity and focus on his charity projects instead of making unfounded remarks about cricketing infrastructure development.
Now that he has gracefully bowed out of being an ICC match referee, many believe he should refrain from commenting on matters that he does not fully understand, rather than shooting his mouth off on a well-planned initiative that benefits the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers.
The Way Forward
As Sri Lanka continues to invest in cricketing development, stakeholders, including former cricketers, administrators, and the public, must engage in constructive discussions based on facts rather than spreading misinformation.
The Matara High-Performance Cricket Center stands to provide equal opportunities for young players across the region, allowing them to develop their skills without having to relocate to Colombo. It will also enhance Sri Lanka’s cricketing ecosystem, ensuring that future generations of cricketers have access to world-class facilities.
Instead of questioning well-planned initiatives, Mahanama and others should support efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s cricketing infrastructure, ensuring that the country remains competitive on the world stage.
