The Chairman of the Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha, Sivalingam Ashokkumar, has stated that no permission can be granted to acquire land belonging to the Pradeshiya Sabha for the construction of luxury hotels or other ancillary facilities linked to the proposed Jaffna International Cricket Stadium.
His remarks came after the Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha was formally informed in writing that, following a discussion held at the Jaffna District Secretariat on the 15th of this month, instructions had been issued to halt any development activities on approximately 2.5 acres of state land in the Mandaitivu East Grama Niladhari Division. The land had previously been allocated for the Mandaitivu Environmental Park. The directive was reportedly issued following a request made by Sri Lanka Cricket for the use of the land.
When the matter was taken up for discussion at a meeting of the Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha, Ashokkumar stated that the local authority is a low-income Pradeshiya Sabha and therefore cannot afford to relinquish its limited resources to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
He further observed that if the cricket stadium is established on the allocated land, the surrounding areas would, in the future, represent a significant potential source of revenue for the Pradeshiya Sabha. As such, he argued that the local authority must retain control over its land in order to safeguard its long-term financial sustainability.
At the same time, the Chairman noted that sufficient land required for the construction of the stadium has already been allocated and that construction work is currently underway. However, he pointed out that additional land is now being sought for purposes beyond the stadium itself, including luxury hotels and maintenance quarters.
Emphasising the revenue constraints faced by the Pradeshiya Sabha, Ashokkumar said that development centred around the Mandaitivu land could generate substantial income for the local authority in the future. For this reason, he said, the proposed acquisition of Pradeshiya Sabha land could not be accepted.
Accordingly, citing the ownership of the land and the future welfare of the Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha, the Chairman proposed a resolution stating that the land would not, under any circumstances, be handed over to any other party. The resolution was subsequently adopted by the council.
