Work on stadia on schedule

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Nearly 95 percent infrastructure work of three international stadium at Khetharama, Pallekele and Hambantota selected to play cricket World Cup has already been completed, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told the Sunday Observer.

At present these three international grounds are at the finishing stage. The rest of the work is scheduled to be completed by January 15 and the grounds will be handed over to the Cricket Board. Twelve matches will be played in these grounds which will start from February 20 to March 29, he said. President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Khetharama ground on January 04. Every week, we have a monitoring meeting on the progress of these grounds, he said.

According to Minister the construction of these three international grounds are marvellous. “We are proud to say even England might not have stadia like us equipped with all modern facilities. “The 15 member Sri Lankan team for the World Cup has already been selected. Minister Aluthgamage said that he has lot of confidence that the Sri Lankan team would be able to win the World Cup. At present all our cricketers are working as a team and performing well.

The Minister said the Sri Lankan team has secured number two position in the world cricket ranking while the Australia is in the number one position.