The Duraiappah Stadium, named in honour of a former Mayor of Jaffna, the Late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah, is being renovated at a cost of SLR 145 million, and the project is scheduled to be completed by May 2015. The project involves renovation of the main pavilion and secondary pavilion, setting up of a gymnasium, setting up of a playground with 400m track, external works including perimeter fencing and gates, toilet blocks, water supply network and associated structures, stores and external waste & sewer disposal network, sprinkler system for the ground, flood light system for the playground, etc.
The contract for executing the renovation work has been awarded to M/s Wahid Construction. The project will be implemented under full grant assistance of the Government of India, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and the Jaffna Municipal Council. Necessary technical expertise and project management services would be provided by the Government of Sri Lanka through Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB).
Once completed, the renovated Stadium will provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sports and recreational activities, and benefit about 50,000 students from different schools and educational institutions in the Northern Province. By promoting sporting talent in the region, the project also aims to assist the overall development of the youth of the Northern Province.
As part of its Development Cooperation Partnership with Sri Lanka, the Government of India has attached high priority to education, research and sports.
Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development of Sri Lanka, G.A.Chandrasiri, Governor of Northern Province, C.V.Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of Northern Province Yogeswary Patkunarajah, Mayor of Jaffna, A.M. Jayawickrama, Secretary, Ministry of Sports Mrs. R.Wijialudchumi, Chief Secretary of Northern Province, Sathyaseelan, Provincial Secretary, Department of Sports, and other senior officials of the Government of Sri Lanka participated in the event.
