Sri Lanka Eradicates Project Of $40 Million Worth Cricket Stadium On Advice Of Top Players

The Sri Lankan government had previously announced that it would begin constructing the nation’s largest stadium in Homagoma. The top players in the country widely criticised the move and went on to claim that there exists no logic behind the same. The renowned players of the nation felt that it would be a troublesome possession to have and the maintenance would be cumbersome too. It turns out that the Sri Lankan Prime Minister has eradicated the plans on building it.

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Former captains like Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya condemned the decision to construct the largest stadium in Sri Lanka. The ground reported having spread over 26 acres in Diyagama and would add to the island nation’s eight international stadiums that are already situated. The cost amounted to a staggering $40 million. Jayasuriya and Jayawardene felt that the funds allocated could be spent in grooming and supporting young players.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s office said in a statement that after having meeting with some of the top-notch former cricketers, they arrived in a decision to spend the funds instead on building school cricket.

“It was decided at a meeting with former top players today that instead of the proposed Homagama stadium it was better to spend money on building school cricket.” the statement said as quoted by sport24.co.za.

Information and Education Minister of Sri Lanka proposed the idea to build the stadium:

Sri Lanka’s information and Higher Education Minister developed the idea of constructing the ground, which was to be built in its local constituency. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board were entirely in line with their plan and the speculation was to fulfil the project through international loans.

The city of Hambantota already has a ground in the name of Rajapaksa, having built a 35000 worth capacity international cricket stadium. However, the park only hosts limited-overs fixtures and not Test matches. It hosted a One-day international between the hosts and West Indies this February.

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