Proposal to construct Homagama cricket stadium first brought in 2016: Bandula

21 May 2020 03:30 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

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Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said the proposal to construct the Diyagama – Homagama international cricket stadium was first brought in 2016 and as such it was incorrect to say that building this sports complex now under the prevailing situation in the country was inappropriate.

Responding to journalists at today’s weekly cabinet news briefing, Minister Gunawardana said he had to get a lot of flacks from the opposition for a good job done.

“When you eat chocolate by a traditional oil mill (sekkuwa) those looking at you will say you eat poonac’ my case is no different, Minister Gunawardana said sarcastically. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

The dialogue between journalists and Minister Gunawardana ensued as follows.

Jouranlist: Is this a private project of yours or a government sponsored one?

Minister Gunawardana: No, two local and global institutions, the ICC and SLC are involved in pumping funds to this.

Journalist: Do you think the construction of this kind if sports complex with a huge amount of money is necessary under the prevailing situation?

Minister Gunawardana: Who said this was started today. The project started in 2016. Even former Sports Minister Harin Fernando once mentioned about this and sauid he would not intend to take it Badulla as done by certain ministers.

Journalist: Some say you have started this to boost your political ambitions and it was your brainchild.

Minister Gunawardana: I don’t want to get my political clout to get boosted from this kind of things. But I must remind you that the dedicated economic centers crated round the country as the trade minister to benefit farmers as well as consumers, the establishment of the NSB, the only technology University in the country, Mahinda Rajapaksa National school at Homagama, one of the best in the country with over 7,000 students and highest GCE O/L and A/L results and the space technology and aerospace science university to mention a few are my brainchild. In addition, I donate my monthly salary since I came to politics to a fund that helps poor students. It is indecent and unfair to put politicians like us into a basket of black sheeps in politics.

Journalist: Former MP, Udaya Gammanpila has made some comments contrary to what you say.

Minister Gunawardana: He has every right to say what he believes.

Journalist: Why the construction not started yet?

Minister Gunawardana: The land, 126 acres have not been legally given to the project.

Jouranalist: Do you have a cabinet approval for this?

Minister Gunawardana: No, cabinet approval will be granted to allocate the land.

Daily Mirror: Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga requests to divert the funds to develop sports in the country.

Minister Gunawardana: You have to ask it from the funding agencies, the ICC and SLC.

Comments - 13

Borat Thursday, 21 May 2020 05:51 PM

So u are saying that this is the most appropriate time to get started when there are more pressing things in hand. Anytime is party time for Ali baba and forty thieves

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Saman Thursday, 21 May 2020 05:57 PM

Bandula, go home..

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kumar Thursday, 21 May 2020 06:50 PM

All bullshit you want to line your pocket. ICC has denied being involved

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ranjit Thursday, 21 May 2020 06:57 PM

ICC denies that they are sponsoring

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sara karthi Thursday, 21 May 2020 07:16 PM

All what we say is that a cricket stadium is not the need at this hour. 2016 stories are not relavant under present situation in the country.

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Dee Thursday, 21 May 2020 10:30 PM

People had a vision, they were following a 'path', some people even came back to SL to follow the 'path', go home Mr. 2500/- let this vision of the 'path' at least be a dream, you guys are making it an 'nightmare'

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Chumley Pinto Thursday, 21 May 2020 10:39 PM

People are not all stupid. Bandula may be stupid to think that people will cheer him for building another white elephant while loosing all matches

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felix Friday, 22 May 2020 08:58 AM

if the justification is that the project was started by the government of 2016 so it is ok, then can we the same 2016 govt. back

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saman Friday, 22 May 2020 09:00 AM

what's wrong with these bunch governing the country? one guy says agreement signed in 2003 and fuel price increased in 2020 and this guy says stadium idea in 2016 implemented in 2020 Everything they say happening now is by the previous got. Then why do we need this govt.

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BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 22 May 2020 09:13 AM

This fellow is a simple example of our failed free education system in our country. I still have not heard him say absolutely anything logical, truthful

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Sam Friday, 22 May 2020 11:14 AM

In many instances the way Mins Bandula answers damages image of the Govt, he still things people follow the news articles are fool . He should think twice lying in public. Better to groom some one-like Dr Ramesh who shows very balance approach as spokesman though he is still new. To my understanding even ICC is cash trap

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Janaka Friday, 22 May 2020 11:35 AM

Bandula you are not going to enter parliament at the coming general election , We don't want uneducated fellow like you , You can help your wife to crape coconut at home , You are good for nothing person.

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sas Friday, 22 May 2020 12:42 PM

As I have stated in these columns before, Bandula Gunawardana is an expert in lying. The ICC has stated that no money would be given to Srilanka Cricket (SLC) to construct stadiums. Bandula has become an expert in lying since he was a tution master in the 1980's.

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