Proposal To Provide Covered Terraces At Asgiriya Stadium (21 Oct 1996)

21 October 1996

Proposal to provide covered terraces at Asgiriya Stadium

By S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen

The Acting Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Kandy District MP. Lakshaman Kiriella has done the necessary spade work for the expansion of the Asgiriya Cricket Stadium to accommodate more spectators with the construction of tiers and covered terraces for lowpriced tickets.

In this connection the Minister visited the Asgiriya Stadium recently and inspected the proposed area of expansion which is the area adjoining the Old Trinitians Sports Club pavilion and is presently occupied by the Road Development Authority office and a few government quarters. This land belongs to the Home Ministry and the Road Development Authority. Mr. Kiriella gave instructions to the officials present that the land which belonged to the Home Ministry be released for the proposed expansion immediately and necessary steps will be taken shortly to acquire a section of the land belonging to the Road Development Authority through the proper channels.

Mr. Kiriella told this correspondent that the request for the extension of the terraces at the Asgiriya Stadium was made to him by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lakshaman Kadirgamar. A similar request was made to him also by the President of the Kandy District Cricket Association Harindra Dunuwille. He personally felt this was a good suggestion as at the World Cup match between Kenya and Sri Lanka played at the Asgiriya Stadium in March this year, over 3,000 spectators had to be turned away due to lack of accommodation. Once completed, these terraces could accommodate a further 4,000 spectators who will be mainly those who cannot afford to purchase tickets in the pavilion. In order to make way for the proposed terraces, some of the existing buildings here which face demolition will be located elsewhere.

Also associated at this discussion was Messrs Athula Senarath, MMC, Mayor of Kandy Edmund Pathirana, Provincial Director of RDA R. H. Karunaratne, Chief Secretary, Kandy Kachcheri D. N. Nandasena, Divisional Secretary Kandy S. B. Beddewala, Provincial Council Member (CP) Elahi Abdeen, KDCA President Harindra Dunuwille, Hafiz Marikkar MMC, and Mr. K. Ekanayake Executive Engineer RDA Kandy and Huthaifa Halimdeen of OTSC.

The relocation of the existing buildings to make way for the terraces is expected to cost over Rs. 10 million and the cost of construction of the terraces will be borne by both government and the Trinity College Old Boys Association who may get assistance from the Cricket Board.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)