The stadium is built, using state funding, on a land owned by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, and its administration and maintenance are done by the Army.

However, the income from the stadium does not go to the state, the SLBC or the Army.

When questioned, military spokesman Brig. Jayanath Jayaweera said the Army had not received any payment for the administration and maintenance of the stadium.

The commanding officer in charge of the stadium and another officer were responsible for the financial activities, while the accountant of the said foundation is a civilian.

Rohan Weliwita, media secretary to ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, said he was unaware of the existence of a Mahinda Rajapaksa sports development foundation.

When contacted a few hours later, Weliwita said he could not say anything more as his attempts to contact the former president and his personal secretary, Shashindra Rajapaksa were unsuccessful.

When Nanda Muruttettuwegama, the chairman of the SLBC, which owns the land, questioned the sports ministry secretary, he had been told they had nothing to do with the stadium’s administration.

A report called by Muruttettuwegama reveals a SLBC-owned land at Seeduwa had been divided into 404 plots of 10-perches each under the name of Rajapaksa Pavura and distributed, while its lands in Weeraketiya and Ambewela had been given to the Youths Corps.