Cricket: SLC drowns Rs. 30 million on abandoned swimming pool project

Some critics are of the view that the decline of the Sumathipala administration began right at its inception. 

Instead of building upon the structures that were laid for the betterment of cricket, the beleaguered administration wasted a colossal sum of Rs. 30,110,689.58 by abandoning the upgrading of the Max Academy Premises at the R. Premadasa Stadium. 

The then Interim Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny who piloted that project still cries foul. 

He said, "We built it because it was the crying need of the hour. That was exactly what was requested by the national cricketers at that time and we laid the foundation with the good intention of continuity. By the time the new administration was elected into office all piling work had been done and the pillars were coming up. But, ironically someone down the line lifted the red flag and the engines were switched off." 

Initially the then Interim Committee had taken steps to build indoor nets and a swimming pool at the R Premadasa Stadium in Kettarama, where the national poolists go through much of their training. 

Kettarama had 18 practice pitches, and also housed Sri Lanka's Max Cricket Academy. 

Yet the interim authorities felt these facilities were not sufficient. 

While the project was on stage, the Interim Committee met the building costs in this manner. 

1. Dil Builders – Progress pay, for rectification of drain system at the RPICS – Rs. 330,294.78 

2. Central Engineering & Consultancy – Mobilisation advance for construction of swimming pool – 6,981,254.29 

3. Central Engineering – Progress payment for Indoor Net @ RPICS – Phase -1 – Pilling work – Rs. Rs. 4,096,327.35 

4. Central Engineering & Consultancy – Advance 20% pay, for construction of Indoor Net Building – Rs. 1,738,118.40 

5. Geotechnical Investigation for proposed Indoor Net @ RPICS -- Rs. 634,690.00 

6. Central Engineering & Consultancy – Mobilisation of proposed Indoor Nets @ RPICS Phase II – Rs. 12,395,925.36 

7. Central Engineering & Consultancy – Progress payment for construction of indoor building -- Rs. 3,611,735.40 

8. Dil Builders – Fixing of PVC wire mesh under roof trusses – Rs. 322,344.00 

Total: Rs. 30,110,689.58. 

This is the money that went down the drain. 

Initially the then SLC Interim Committee decided to build six new practice strips at the Kettarama Stadium, four at Pallekelle and four at Dambulla, while at the Max Academy at Kettarama the Interim Committee also had planned to put up a dormitory for the use of the players and also a swimming pool as part of the fitness regime of the scores of cricketers who are housed at the Kettarama Stadium. 

The cost for the Kettarama swimming pool project was estimated at Rs. 38 million and the cost for other projects were estimated at Rs. 68 million. 

The dormitory was only a matter of revamping under another budget. 

In fact SLC secretary Mohan de Silva has gone on record when the project was suspended saying that they had not completely halted the programme, but would try to build upon the facilities if and when able. 

But, fifteen months have lapsed and the project has gone into oblivion: A colossal waste of opportunity and funds. 

However, recently it is learned that Sri Lanka Cricket, which had abandoned the Kettarama projects for want of funds, recently spent about Rs. 6,500 per unit to buy 6,000 imported bucket seats for the Dambulla Stadium. 

The total expenditure on this project was around Rs. 40 million and here is the breakdown: 

1. Veyyick Trading limited – Stadium Chairs –US$ 69,363.16 @ 145.50 = 10,092,339.78 

2. Customs Duty on the clearing Rs. 3,139,535.00 

3. Customs Duty on clearing of Stadium Seats for venues Rs. 6,374,154.00 

4. Veyyick Trading -- US$ 140,798.86 @145.50 (4020 nos. seats) 20,486,234.1.