Sooriyawewa stadium had cost Rs.2,386 million more than the estimated amount: JVP

While claiming that the cost of the construction of the Sooriyawewa Stadium had gone up to Rs.5,838 million from the estimated cost of Rs.2,452 million, JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday asked on whose instructions was the stadium constructed by the Ports Authority.

He told in Parliament that the stadium had been constructed by the Ports Authority without a request by the Sri Lanka Cricket but on a request of the Tharunyata Hetak organisation. He said an MOU had been signed with the China Habour Engineering Co-operation to construct the stadium at a cost of Rs. 2,452 million, even though the government estimate was Rs. 915 million .

He said however, the construction cost had now reached Rs. 5,838 and that the Ports and Shipping Ministry had obtained Cabinet approval to pay Rs.4,000 million for the construction under the present government.

“On what basis, was a decision taken to pay this amount by the present government? What benefits is the country getting from this ground?,” he asked.

Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said the cost had been estimated by a technical committee appointed by the housing ministry as at Rs. 3,834 million and the treasury had taken the responsibility to pay the cost following a Cabinet paper submitted by the Prime Minister.

He said however, the Ports Authority did not have a mandate to construct a stadium like this.