Cabinet approves Rs 848.8m for Sugathadasa renovation

– 253 million for Solar Power Generator

– 216 million for renovation of flood lights

– 195 million for electricity light system of indoor stadium

– 183 million for sound system of indoor stadium

Cabinet approved a cumulative sum of 848.8 million rupees for the renovation of the Sugathadasa Sports Complex yesterday, which will be utilized for upgrading the flood light system, electric light and sound system of the indoor stadium and to establish a solar power generator for electricity needs.

These allocations are in addition to the amount which the budget allocated for the renovation of Sugathadasa Stadium, which was 250 million in 2017 and 175 million in 2016 and will not include the laying the new track which is still to get under way. Out of the said amount of Rs. 253 million (Rs: 253, 186,098.75) has been approved for the establishment of a Solar Power Generation system. According to Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara’s letter to the Cabinet seeking the said amount, the monthly electricity bill at the Sugathadasa Sports Complex is around Rs. 2-2.5 million and the proposed system can generate electricity units up to 70,000 kilowatts.

Rs. 216 million (Rs: 216, 302,580.00) has been approved for the renovation of the flood light system which will be modernized according to international standards to host international sporting events. Certain LUX level of light is necessary to host international sports events, which is 1200-1700 for Rugby and Football, while the present LUX level is 600.

The rest of the allocations are for renovation of the electric light system and sound system which has not been renovated since its inception some 25 years ago. Rs 195 million (195, 846, 943.50) has been approved to renovate the light system while another Rs 183 million (183, 467, 154, 79) has been approved for the renovation of the sound system. The allocation for the sound system is without taxes.

Increase in charges

These renovations mean that future charges for use of the Sugathadasa Stadium too will be increased.Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara has suggested charging Rs 2 million per tournament in the facility in his letter to the Cabinet when seeking approval for the renovation of the flood light system

Synthetic track

The tender for the laying of the new synthetic track is yet to be sorted out even though it’s been more than six months since the Sports Ministry first called for tenders for the said task.According to Minister Jayasekara they have now received the Attorney General’s opinion regarding tenders submitted by joint ventures and will be announcing the successful tenderer.

According to tenderers they will need at least four months, (excluding rain), for the completion of the track, which means it’s highly unlikely SL athletes will get an opportunity to compete on the Sugathadasa track this year too.