It is one of three cricket grounds taken over by the military after the governing body, Sri Lanka Cricket, admitted that they could no longer afford to maintain them.

The navy will look after Pallekelle stadium, the air force R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the stadium in Hambantota, named after President Mahinda Rajapaksa and which is also due to stage archery if Sri Lanka are awarded the Games.

"Sri Lanka Cricket wanted to cut down the expenses," military spokesman Brigadier Nihal Hapuarachchi said.

"It is a service.

"We are supporting the country by doing this."

Hapuarachchi said the military will not charge Sri Lanka Cricket since armed service members are paid by the state.

Sri Lanka Cricket are reportedly $23 million (£14 million/€17 million) in debt and have not paid about 100 contracted players the country co-hosted the World Cup together with India and Bangladesh in March

"We are in a salvage financial situation and we have to tighten our belts, so this is a forward plan in getting our finance right," Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Brian Thomas said.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, the co-chairman of Hambantota 2018, has admitted that Sri Lanka still owes more than $18.1 million (£11.2 million/€13.1 million) to the Chinese construction firm that built the brand new stadium in President Mahinda Rajapaksa's hometown.

Aluthgamage has claimed that he expects a solution to be reached before the end of the year but the revelation will not help Hambantota's bid to host the Commonwealth Games.

The decison on which city should host the event is due to take place at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11.

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