The fortunes and fame of one party and the careers of the other are at stake according to the Minister of Sports, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who firmly said that ‘someone has to take the blame’ for the calamity of the newly laid synthetic track of the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

The authorities of the Sugathadasa Stadium were forced to shut down the facility last month, soon after the All Island Schools Games, after the worsening conditions of the newly laid track were exposed.

Hasty repairs being effected to the damaged track of Sugathadasa Stadium. - Pic by Amila Gamage

In one of many cases, a prospective national sprinter from St. Peter’s College, Malik Khan was disqualified from the Under-21 Boys’ 200m event due to a false start at the All Island School Games. But later it was proved that the runner could not make the expected start as his starting block was tucked into a peeled-off track.

This condition was evidently visible at many areas and the contractor, who assured a five-year guarantee period, is currently repairing the damaged areas after bringing down the English installer Keith Allsop, who represents the German company Stockmier.

The visibly annoyed Minister charged the local contractors Gahakola Landscaping and the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) appointed by the Ministry of Sports who had recommended the required specifications and requirements. Now both parties are entangled in a war of words, with neither willing to take the blame.

But Minister Aluthgamage stated that ‘something has gone wrong somewhere and he will appoint an independent committee to probe in to the matter.

“It is clear that the fact-finding committee appointed initially to investigate into the conditions of the newly laid track was not professional as expected. They (the committee) came to a conclusion that the rainy weather condition which prevailed during the time was the main reason. But I’m not pleased with their report,” the Minister told local journalists after an inspecting tour.

“I will completely rule out the fact that there was any major financial scandal here. I say that because this was a project that was estimated at Rs. 380 million and Gahakola Landscaping made the best bid with Rs. 113 million. But with what has taken place at present, I will not hesitate to take action against Gahakola Landscaping by stopping their payments, taking legal action and even blacklisting them, if they are found the wrongdoers. I have already stopped a payment of Rs. 20 million which was due,” the Minister added.

He went on to say that even the TEC members are at risk as their occupations, perks and even pension benefits could be lost if it is proven that they have made a mistake.

“The officials of TEC are government servants. They are responsible and answerable, being top professionals.”
Danushka Rahubadda, the General Manager of Gahakola Landscaping elaborating the possible technical cause for the synthetic track to peel off, identified the lack of proper drainage system to suit the new material.

“Upon recommendations of the TEC we chipped out a portion of 50mm from layer of 450mm of tar and replaced that part with the suggested mixture of materials. Later the blue synthetic surface was paid over it by a professional from a partnering German company. According to our findings the water that gathers by rain and other means has no way to flow out below the new 50mm tar layer which we laid; the specified TEC margin. The water gathers underneath and vapourises when the surface is dry, which caused the track come off,” he explained.