Military takes over Sri Lanka Test venues

Nov 03, 2011 |

Colombo

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Sri Lanka's cash-strapped cricket board has asked the military to take over and maintain multi-million dollar Test venues that were set up for this year's World Cup, an official said on Thursday.

Security forces will manage three stadiums from the start of this month as the governing body of the sport could no longer afford their upkeep, Sri Lanka Cricket's media manager Brian Thomas said.

"We are doing this because we are not in a position to afford the maintenance costs," Thomas said. "The military is responsible for the grounds from this month."

The R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo is being taken by the air force, the Pallekele stadium by the navy and the Mahinda Rajapakse International Test ground in the island's south by the army, Thomas said.

Sri Lanka Cricket has sought government grants and a soft loan to meet part of the $69 million it spent on co-hosting the 2011 World Cup.

Sri Lanka, which lost the final to India by six wickets, hosted 12 matches with other games being held in India and Bangladesh.

The island built new grounds in the southern town of Hambantota and the central town of Pallekele while nearly $8 million was spent to renovate the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

The three affected venues cost Sri Lanka an estimated $46 million to prepare for the World Cup, according to the sports ministry.

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