Sri Lanka eyes sports business for post-war role

The civil war, which ended in 2009, cast a long shadow on the sporting activities in the island nation.

 
Sri Lanka had a popular sporting culture in the past, but now it needs help from the government to produce proper policies for its development and gain help from business, analysts believe.

The Sri Lankan Olympic Association (SLOA) also says that if the respective sporting bodies and the government come forward - with plans for developing the infrastructure needed for taking forward sporting activities in the country - then many would be prepared to support it.

 
Now, the SLOA says it will approach the International Olympic Committee for funding and support if the government establishes programmes to improve the country's sports facilities.

Sri Lanka has already been successful in the international arena with its cricket national team, winning a World Cup in 1996 and as finishing runner-up in 2007.

 And Julian Bolling, a triple Olympian in swimming from Sri Lanka, says: "The need is not mega-structures, but basic facilities for the community to participate in sports.

 Sports is no less a priority

"They were supported even during the war time and there is no doubt they will get even more support during peace time."

In a nation caught in intense civil war for nearly three decades, there is a growing debate about the role of private investment.

And there is an underlying will to try and achieve this aim. "A nation has to be healthy to achieve anything and sport is the best path to get there," says Maxwell de Silva of the SLOA.

 
Political stability key factor

 
With parliamentary elections scheduled in April, political stability will be cemented for the next six years, says Dr Sarvananthan.
 

"In this environment of security and political stability, Sri Lanka would become an ideal place to host international sports events."

Next year, Sri Lanka will co-host the World Cup Cricket series with India and Bangladesh.

Many people point out that even when the civil war was in full swing, the current president of the country built a modern sports complex at Homagama in the outskirts of the capital Colombo and another one in Hambanthota is in progress.

If that is an indication, then other pressing priorities may not necessarily hinder investment in the sports industry. - BBC