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Chinese firm to build multibillion sports complex in Nuwara Eliya
A Chinese firm is to receive the contract for a High Altitude Sports Complex in Nuwara Eliya and it will cost US$ 115 million or more than Rs. 15 billion.
The man behind the move is Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Sports. He has said that the complex will have a 400-metre and 200-metre running tracks, a 400-metre natural running track, two pavilions, a cricket ground, an indoor stadium, swimming pools training centres and villas.
Minister Aluthgamage has said that China Volant Industry Company Limited has offered to bear costs up to US$ 85 million (more than Rs. 11 billion) and financing would have to be found for the remaining US$ 27.65 million (more than Rs. 3.5 billion). He has said the Department of External Resources should be called upon to look for the extra funds needed.
Mr. Aluthgamage has told his colleagues that at present there are only a handful of training centres of this calibre in Asia for training purposes of local and foreign athletes. He has expressed the view that “there will be a high demand for this ground which in turn will pave the way for earning considerable foreign exchange to our country.” He feels the total investment could be recovered in just ten years from 2016.
The Sports Minister has noted that China Volant and China Zonghang International Technical and Economic Company Limited have forwarded a project proposal for the construction of the proposed High Altitude Sports Complex. Mr. Aluthgamage feels that a Cabinet appointed negotiating committee (CANC) should be appointed to proceed with negotiations once the cost estimates for a comprehensive project are worked out.
Mr. Aluthgamage has noted that the setting up of a High Altitude Sports Complex in Nuwara Eliya fulfils the promise of “erecting a Sports Academy dedicated to training local and foreign Athletes as spelt out in the Mahinda Chinthanaya (Thoughts of Mahinda).He has, however, not made clear how higher foreign earnings could accrue to Sri Lanka and which countries in the region would use the High Altitude Sports Complex in Nuwara Eliya.
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