Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, the answer to the question is as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (i) I am aware that there is no proper system for water drainage.

¶ 03 After the renovation was successfully completed by the Department of Sports Development and handed back on 2022.01.19 to the Bandarawela Municipal Council, a proper drainage system had been constructed. Since that date, maintenance of the ground has been the responsibility of the Bandarawela Municipal Council.

¶ 04 (ii) I am aware that cricket matches cannot be played.

¶ 05 The Bandarawela Public Playground is not a cricket pitch; it is a track and field ground prepared for athletics. Therefore, it is not suitable for cricket matches. However, subsequent to the development activities, if cricket is played there, the boundary line lies outside the drain. That is how the development was done.

¶ 06 (b) (i) Within the period concerned, only in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 the Department of Sports Development incurred the following expenditure:

¶ 07 - 2019: Rs. 16,409,553.76 - 2020: Rs. 41,745,045.23 - 2021: Rs. 1,716,901.30

¶ 08 (ii) As the ground was renovated and formally handed over on 2022.01.19 to the Bandarawela Municipal Council with any snag items rectified, if any damage has occurred since then, it is appropriate that the Bandarawela Municipal Council conducts the inquiry, since the responsibility rests with them.

¶ 09 (iii) From January to April 2025, under the provisions allocated to the Department of Sports Development by the Government, no allocations have been made for renovation of this ground, as it belongs to the Bandarawela Municipal Council. However, essential maintenance with necessary facilities is to be carried out by the Bandarawela Municipal Council.

¶ 10 (iv) Since the Bandarawela Public Playground is under the Bandarawela Municipal Council, all required facilities, repairs and maintenance should be undertaken by the Council based on available provisions.

¶ 11 (c) After completion of construction of such sports complexes, administration and maintenance should be handed to the relevant local authorities. Accordingly, after renovations, the Bandarawela Public Playground has been duly handed over to the Bandarawela Municipal Council. Therefore, future plans for renovation should be prepared by the Council. Although the responsibility lies with the Council, if that is not happening, we will look into it and take necessary steps in the interest of the advancement of sports.