JVP alleges bid to sell Race Course

The Central Employees Union of the Sugathadasa Sports Complex has alleged that plans were underway to sell the 82 acre Race Course in Nuwara Eliya.General Secretary of the Union, affiliated to the JVP, N. G. Karunatilleke, said that they were concerned as the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority was responsible for the maintenance of the Race Course in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 15 August, 2012.

In a statement issued to the media, the Union said that the livelihood of 11 workers, assigned for maintenance work, and other activities which brought income, was now at risk.

The Union alleged that the administration had failed to collect what was owed in terms of the agreement with the Royal Turf Club, in terms of an agreement finalised in 2015, with the intervention of the Sports Ministry. The Union alleged that those who wanted to sell the property wanted to depict the enterprise as a loss-making operation. (SF)