News

Dambulla stadium floodlights to be upgraded at Rs. 150 mn. cost

Published

12 months ago

May 1, 2023

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Sri Lanka Cricket is currently working to upgrade the floodlights system at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, despite the venue not hosting more than 3-4 Day and Night ODIs a year.

The tender in this regard has been awarded to DIMO, which has already commenced work.

It is said that the project could cost around Rs. 150 million.

Dambulla had hosted day-night ODIs until 2010, but players had been critical about the lights’ lack of intensity, which affected batsmen in particular. The venue’s floodlights were later ruled to be inadequate for international cricket, as they produced substantially less than the 2500 lux of light required as a minimum by the ICC.

The venue has hosted just 55 D/N ODIs since it was established in 2001.

The lights project is underway while two other projects planned by a previous SLC interim committee has been halted.

It had been planned to build an indoor gymnasium and swimming pool at the R. Premadasa stadium for the training of the national players but plans had been halted midway even despite the laying of a foundation to do so.

‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ learns that players have expressed their displeasure over prioritizing the floodlights of a stadium which only hosts a handful of games, over the gym and pool which are two basic requirements for the players’ training.

Earlier, it was alleged that DIMO had secured a contract to replace non working lights at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Khettarama, Colombo but had even replaced lights that had been working with no issue.

News

Complaint filed alleging assets being misused for President’s political activities

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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Today (26) the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) calling for a probe into the alleged misuse of assets owned by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for the political activities of current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SYU submitted a formal complaint to the CIABOC today (26) afternoon.

The complaint is filed against Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Harin Fernando, Ministry Secretary – Dr. Kanapathipillai Mahesan, and Chairman of the NYSC – Pasindu Gunaratne.

Speaking before the media, Eranga Gunasekara, the national organizer of the SYU said, NYSC vehicles bearing the numbers NA 9099, NB 1389, NB 3384, NB 3383 had been misused for the UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on March 10.

He has also said a dance troupe of the NYSC, used for the rally, is yet to be paid.

News

Tiran makes revelation on Maithripala’s statement

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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During the inquiry over former President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent statement that he was aware of the real culprits behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, he has not mentioned the names of anyone in Sri Lanka, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

The lawmaker made this remark while speaking during today’s parliamentary session.

News

High Posts committee approves 4 appointments

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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Committee on High Posts approves appointments of a new ambassador, a secretary to a ministry, and 02 chairpersons of institutions

The Committee on High Posts which met recently in Parliament has given its approval for the appointments of a new ambassador, a ministry secretary and two institution chairpersons.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of Mr. S.A Rodrigo as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Italian Republic.

In addition to that, the appointment of Mr. A.C.M. Nafeel as the new secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development was also approved by the Committee on High Posts.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts approved the appointments of Mr. W.A.D.S Gunasinghe as the new chairman of the Regional Development Bank and Mr. N.K.S. Jayasekara as the new chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Vidura Wickramanayake, Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen participated in the Committee on High Posts which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.