BCCSL receives clearance to pay Dambulla Stadium contractors

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka wishes to announce that it has received clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on the 12th of February 2002, and the Attorney General, to complete the making of payments to contractors who were involved in the construction of the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The Interim Committee of the BCCSL in year 2001 wished to make payments to the contractors, but were restrained by advice from the Solicitor General, who directed that only 25% of the amounts outstanding to the contractors were to be paid, due to an ongoing audit and a probe into the affairs of the BCCSL pertaining to the Dambulla project. Letters in this connection are annexed.

The BCCSL appreciates that the contractors are understandably anxious to receive such payments. However, it must be understood that the Interim Committee as trustees of the BCCSL, must act with a sense of responsibility with regard to such matters, especially in matters financial. The Interim Committee has therefore taken a decision to settle the outstanding amounts, upon receiving certification from a committee headed by its Consultant Engineer regarding the quantum and quality of work carried out, and provided that certification is also received from the Consultant Architects.

This is necessary in view of the fact that this project which was estimated to cost approximately Rs. 60 million, is now estimated to cost approximately Rs. 450 to 500 million.