With the blessing of the Government of Sri Lanka and the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had planned to build the island's biggest international cricket stadium in Homagama, keeping in mind the two ICC World Cup events to be held in the years 2023 to 2031.
Sri Lanka already has the international-standard cricket stadiums in Kandy, Galle, Hambantota, Dambulla, Pallekele, and Moratuwa that can accommodate up to 35,000 spectators, but after ICC’s request to host the ICC events in the coming years, SLC showed interest in this project.
Well, the new proposed international-standard cricket stadium will have 40,000 seating capacity and Day/Night cricket facilities to be built in Homagama located in the district of Colombo, which already boasts the 35,000-seat R. Premadasa Stadium.
However, the second phase of the project would see the ground expanded to host 60,000 fans the Homagama stadium is expected to take a total of three years to build at a cost of around $30m to $40m.
Well, now reports emerged that the Sri Lankan government, who were expected to grant land of 28-acres to SLC to build this stadium, has decided to suspend the proposed project following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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As per reports in PTI, Prime Minister’s office said in a release: “It has been decided to suspend the proposed new international cricket stadium project in Homagama.”
The decision was taken by the government following a public outcry against the construction including Mahela Jayawardene at the meeting attended former and senior cricketers of the Island nation.
However, the SLC is yet to react to the Prime Minister’s decision, as “the Homagama International Cricket Stadium project will be an absolute and private investment of the board and no government funds will be utilized or sought at any stage of the construction.”
(With PTI/ The Stadium Business Inputs)
