News
Nuwara Eliya park now an eyesore
View(s):The one time popular race course at Nuwara Eliya has turned into an eyesore to both local, as well as to foreigners who visit the town. Over the years cultivators have encroached into the 10-acre plot of land allocated for the park. Former Minster of Sports, Gamini Lokuge initiated a programme to develop the race course and raise its status to that of an international stadium.
The project costing rupees 6 billion was launched in 2008. However, despite Rs. 78 million being spent on the project, the area is largely covered by jungle
Despite several Members of Parliament holding the post of Sports Minister, none of them seem toknow the plight that has befallen the proposed stadium in Nuwara Eliya.
Residents are hopeful the new Minister of Sports -Navin Dissanayake, son of the late Gamini Dissanayake, who was also a former Member of Parliament from Nuwara Eliya will pay attention to this.
The original scheme included a proposal for a stable for ponies
While the jungle has encroached into the proposed stadium site, the land appears to have been turned into a garbage dumping ground as well
- Former Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge inaugurated the Nuwara Eliya Stadium project in 2008
A number of MPs have held the post of Sports Minister, but the stadium still remains only a proposal