With low coverage of international matches in very rural areas, it has come under extreme criticism and has been called a
white elephant as only a few matches were held in the stadium considering the extreme costs for construction and maintenance. The finance minister criticized the former government for hiding the true story of actual cost of its construction. To gain revenue the Stadium is often hired out for wedding receptions, however, former Prime Minister
Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed that the stadium should be used for training purposes to gain revenue. In 2016, after the inspections by
Sri Lanka Cricket, president
Thilanga Sumathipala pointed out that the walls, carpets, furniture and equipment in the stadium were in a severe state of neglect and deterioration without any attempt to revive the facility to its earlier status. ==Lanka Premier League==