SLC never wanted to build Sooriyawewa International Cricket Stadium?

Colombo (News 1st) News 1st has repeatedly exposed multiple occasions in which the administrators of cricket had wasted funds that could have been used for the development of the game.

However, officials have continued to turn a blind eye towards such revelations that have been made over the years. An audit report had recently revealed that Sri Lanka Cricket had misused funds that should have been used for the development of cricket, by choosing to spend them on infrastructure development. Sri Lanka Cricket had handed over its financial statement to sports clubs during its annual general meeting last year. The financial statement covers several details pertaining to the construction of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. In the notes to its financial statements, Sri Lanka Cricket says that it did not have any intention to construct an international cricket stadium in Sooriyawewa. It adds, however, that the decision to construct the international stadium was reached consequent to a meeting held on the 5th of May 2009, which was attended by members of the SLC interim committee and headed by the then-president. According to the financial statements, the then secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket was Nishantha Ranatunga. The notes to Sri Lanka Cricket's financial statements adds that SLC had incorporated the cost of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium as Rs. 4.28 Bn into its financials as of 30th June 2011. This figure included Rs.914 Mn for the work performed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The financial report also highlights the lack of evidence of adherence to due processes and internal controls. It adds that no Interim Payment Certificates were available for the final bill amounting to Rs.2.2 Billion, although such Payment Certificates should be signed off as per the internal controls and due process of SLC. The notes to SLC's financial statements go on to note, that on the 27th of January 2016, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority had forwarded a letter to SLC, enclosing a letter that had been addressed to the minister of ports & shipping from China Harbour Engineering Company. In the enclosed letter, China Harbour had claimed a further amount of Rs.5.027 Bn, which includes the interest of Rs.2.07 B outstanding up to July 2015. There are serious concerns as to who should bear the primary responsibility for this controversial project and what would be the fate of Cricket if the same individuals are allowed to be involved in its administration over and over again.