da poker： Sierra Constructors, the building company responsible for thedevelopment of the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, have toldthe Sri Lankan Minister of Sports that they had no intention todisrupt the three games played at Dambulla next week
Rex Clementine21-Jul-2001Sierra Constructors, the building company responsible for thedevelopment of the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, have toldthe Sri Lankan Minister of Sports that they had no intention todisrupt the three games played at Dambulla next week.The Sports Ministry decided to shift the three matches of the CocaCola Cup in Dambulla on Wednesday. A media release explained: “TheMinistry has reliable information that certain interested parties arecontemplating legal action and seeking temporary orders to stop theplaying of matches at Dambulla.”Sierra have not yet been fully paid for the work carried out on thestadium and will not be paid until the completion of an investigationinto alleged malpractices by the previous cricket board, which wasdissolved in March 2001.The decision not to pay the constructors, forced upon the presentInterim Committee by the Attorney General, fueled speculation thatSierra may try to disrupt the three matches in Dambulla by takingaction in the courts early next week.Sierra deny this, saying in a formal statement that: “We hereby give apublic commitment that none of us would resort to such an unpatrioticaction to prevent the playing of cricket matches at the very stadium,which we sweated and toiled to construct and create in about 165 daysand which stadium we are all proud of and cherish.”Next week’s Dambulla games have now been shifted to PremadasaInternational Stadium. Further changes to the schedule are unlikelyunless the highest political authorities in the country becomeembroiled in the controversy again.