Ajith Nivard Cabraal (pictured) made his prediction despite the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) warning that Hambantota represents a "medium to high risk" compared to its only rival, the Gold Coast, which is ranked as a safer option.

"Sri Lanka was a rank outsider and was not even considered as a runner to the other host country Gold Coast Australia," said Cabraal, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, in an interview published in the Sri Lankan newspaper, the Daily News.

"Today we have more than a 50/50 chance and I am very confident that Hambantota [will] win this bid."

Cabraal's optimism has been boosted by a series of positive comments from Commonwealth delegates following visits to Hambantota but also by the strong economic position of Sri Lanka.

"We can see that people are enjoying better lifestyles and the country has comfortable levels of infrastructure which are contributing to the national level of uplift of the country," he told the newspaper.

"Of course there is more to be done.

"The Lankan per capita income which was at $2,399 (£1,540/€1,792) end of last year is expected to increase to $2,700 (£1,733/€2,017) by the end of 2011 which would be a fairly comfortable mark for a middle income nation like Sri Lanka."

Cabraal claimed that Sri Lanka is will reach $4,000 (£2,567/€2,988) per capita income country by 2015.

"We have left a substantial amount for public investment," he said.

"One must remember it is not only the [Sri Lankan] Government that is investing even the private sector is involved on the back of Government investments.

"Lowering of poverty levels, high education, better health levels, and better infrastructure environment would certainly help towards the countries forward march."

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