‘Hambantota’s bid is largely virtual’

22 June 2011 02:49 am - 109 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Mike Hooper says the Sri Lankan's Hambantota's bid for the next Commonwealth Games is largely virtual

“We will be in Colombo for the briefings and the sort of sessions that we are doing right now,” he said. "Certainly in relation to an onsite visit, we have a full day travelling across to Hambantota.”

"We will be flying across I think helicopter across 40 minutes and spending the full day there going through and getting proximity and understanding of their proposals."

Mr. Hooper and six other members of the Federation's evaluation commission are on the Gold Coast to assess plans and facilities for the event.

He says security is one of 15 key themes that the Gold Coast and its rival candidate city, Hambantota, have to address.

The Evaluation Commission will travel to Sri Lanka from the Gold Coast.

The Evaluation Commission will publish its report in October and the host city will be announced in November.

(ABC News)

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Comments - 109

ampare son Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:08 AM

I wish we will get that. hambanthota have to develop.

banda Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:18 AM

My question is what government is going to do with the facilities built in Hambantota after the event. What will be the payback period of the investment?

ICC Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:23 AM

MULIWAIKAL BID IS THE BESTFOR THE NEXT COMMONWEALTH GAME.

polatha Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:22 AM

Go ahead hambanthota. you can do it.

knight rider Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:38 AM

someone in the sports ministry has to keep thinking creatively to ensure that the complex is utilized profitably

1shot Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:49 AM

after the event how will they maintain the facilities?a bigger debacle than d w.c.cricket fiasco is on d cards.

Abdur Razzak Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:00 AM

i'm very certain the mis appropriation of funds will be at it's peak and the losses could well be many folds than the cricket world cup. indeed miracle of asia !!

Chamila Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:07 AM

Wish it will not be another Sooriyawawa Cricket Ground which was built spending millions of money and played a mach and then forgotten.

Sue Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:11 AM

More to the point, a country such as ours with so many other important and critical aspects to be looked into, why waste so much money we can ill afford?

Anay Appachchi! Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:16 AM

To those idiots who think they will be saved from the fallout from this profligacy: KEEP DREAMING. At least those of us with a brain in our head know what we are in for if yet another "Miracle of Asia" becomes a reality!

simple mind Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:30 AM

Why without CWG Hambantota cant be developed? Why spent so much to develop just Hambantota, what about the rest of the country?

simple mind Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:31 AM

You must be joking. The capabilities of SLC is all out in the open for everyone to see.

Rupesinghe Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:34 AM

What level of inteligence do you have to call others idiots?

Just Another Citizen Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:35 AM

Why can't we have quicker development in Colombo? And with more transparency?

lnkn Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:36 AM

This will be another corrupt matter like SLC.

COMMEN THIF Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:37 AM

IF THIS HAPPEND? BEFOR WORLD WILL STOP TO
TERN.

amawaka m Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:36 AM

Good as long as it is not deviated from virtue to corrupted fraud.

mervyn perera Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:41 AM

Hambantota will be made the capital of sri Lanka. What more do you want. The whole nation will be starving. Are you not happy with that .

Xman Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:42 AM

Its a game baba... (a handsome)

rana Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:47 AM

H'tota is a virtual city. Therefore the bid is also virtual.

TMA Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:56 AM

Oh please don't approve this.

Upul Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:58 AM

To all those Pessimistic Commentators.
Why can't the Cultivators and Fishermen of Hambantota and the surrounding areas learn to play Cricket and Golf. After all this is going to be the Miracle of Asia!

Gonapala Jayasooriye Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:55 AM

All Hambantotta is good for is BUFFALOE CURD,and all shouldknow that.

I Hussein Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:07 AM

Mr Rupesinghe, Sorry, What intelligence level you think you need to measure those idiots who are absolutely blind folded? I can be wrong but people who are awake could easily see whats happening and whats going to happen? Do we need a F1 tracks? Did we really need another Cricket Ground (suriyawewa)? Whats this boring CWG for? If they are spending theor family funds we have absolutely no problem. People will certaily question when something is fishy & wrong. The whole development scenario is very sceptical and not feasible.

spark Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:16 AM

And humans like buffaloes.

GSK Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:18 AM

are we going to spend 7 bilion US... the cost the total event of football world cup in South Africa is only 5 billion US !!!! is it worth it???

we should not fake our shelf , we are a poor county , India did it cos they have different political issues and they one of the world super powers !!! think about it !!!

I Hussein Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:20 AM

Optimistic Upul - So you wear sarong to preach your jargon and promote Cricket and Golf.
This is what exactly happening right now.
No one is against fishermen or farmers play but then stop hoodwinking them, stop preaching bogus patritism & stop anti-western slogans.

spark Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:23 AM

First the leader who came from this area needs to be honest, civilised, compassionate to all ethnicities and a true practicing buddhist...only then can a miracle happen.

Managala Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:29 AM

As a nation we are so pessimistic by looking at the comments it is evident. that's why we cannot move ahead we don't take challenges ppl (media included) are only happy if the food is there and the party they like rule the country so primitive........

harshi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:35 AM

sorry,no more construction commisions to govt.henchmen and nil balakaaya!

gal banda Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:34 AM

another white elephant from tax payers' money. Betther propose in Kilinochchi so that those place will also developped.

paga maruwa& MRfan Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:42 AM

Anee,sudu maamee api ganath hitannakoo.Apee boss oyaalata adhirajya waadiyo kiyala baninne wihiluwata nee.H'thota harbor eken gahillath iwara weegena enakota meeke construction walin jaraawa kanna perum puraagena hitiyee.Aiyo,dan indala wadak neeee....ih..ih.ih

Dilan Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:43 AM

Everybody talks about global warming,how about not doing this and saving the trees in Hambanthota.

B.R.Fernando Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:44 AM

The fact is that they (POLITICOS) need to make money. To make money they need to do some works. When the works done hurriedly they can make more money. CWG is ideal for that and they are using the opportunity. Miracle of Asia. Pathetic yet some people cant see whats happening.

Rajendra Samaranayak Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:48 AM

If it comes through its going to be X'mas for Govt ministers because they will be thrilled with their commissions. Specially Mr 10%.

Asitha Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:51 AM

I want a Formula One racing track too. Then we can invite Lewis Hamilton and Michale Schumacher to drive here

Nilupul Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:52 AM

Here goes our USD 20M investment PR in drains .....This wasn't a surprise though !

gaththa Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:57 AM

This is corruption not development in the country. Government always search for big deals coz its easier to steal from the big projects.
Think about cricket ground in Hambantota. SLC is shamelessly begging money from the government even after hosting
a world cup. While india and Bangladesh made huge sum of money from the tournament.
This is purely poor management of public money and corruption.

gaththa Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:58 AM

I travel every day by train. Atleast 5 trains get delayed or canceled every single day in the costalline track.
Railway people say signal problems, internal issues, etc as the reason everyday.
This government and the transport minister doesnt want to dig in to the matter and stop this.
They really dont want to solve the prevailing issues... like singals... instead they build bring new engines, build new high speed tracks... etc.
Underlying reason is they search for BIG deals rather solving general public's problems.

Same applies from 2018 CWG. I'm sure we will have to pay the debts they take to host this event till our lives lasts. Yet i'm not unsure fate of CWG 2018 differs from World Cup 2011.

christo Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:05 AM

This is about national pride, we might not be able to make money out of this but it will put us on the world map and we might have spin offs like more exposure resulting in more tourist dollars and investments from overseas parties.

Nihal Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:06 AM

I think The "HAT IS FIT FOR YOU"

TMA Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:09 AM

Right on man. Surely those who don't have their feet on the ground will start blaming U

hambantot Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:18 AM

What about buffaloes??

Minister Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:19 AM

With all our capabilities, we can even oil the palm of Hooper!

Amdon Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:28 AM

After 2004 Olympics Greece became a bankrupt country today.
Whether SL also need to follow same footstep?

Go Hamba Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:29 AM

Whats next for Hamba? Financial capital, and a casino.. lets keep pumping tax money :-)

gona Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:34 AM

This is only till MR is in power after that GOD knows

Rukicee Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:35 AM

We might get that in Hambantota as well.. probably get the corrupt family to talk bernie ecclestone into giving us a loan :)

Sinnavi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:38 AM

Why don't we move the Parliament,Temple Trees,President Palace all to Hambantota?

Farook Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:41 AM

Bigger the contract, bigger the payback.
Simple logics my dear.

Avii Jonathan Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:47 AM

LTTE diaspora s, are trying to have fun by unnecessary thing, where they don't want to see a developed SL.

All the best SL.

Sinhalaya Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:00 AM

We will not have an European Union to come to our Aid with lots of Euros.

PresiDunce Bean Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:01 AM

Everybody who voted for this Government and looks on like zombies as the Government runs riot on a spending spree with the peoples tax money is an IDIOT!

ps. according to my "Chinthanaya" an idiot is someone with less than 3 brain cells in his/her head.

PresiDunce Bean Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:05 AM

SL is already a morally bankrupt country...has been so for 63 years...

spark Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:03 AM

That will not be popular with the southern sinhalese...didnt you know harrassment of tamils is positive and gets more votes to polictians who do that - another Miracle of Asia.

Suresh Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:03 AM

You are a moron. What does LTTE have to do with it. They are wiped out, end of story. As for the current story, it affects every citizen of this country, whether you are tamil, muslim or sinhalese. This is going be huge burden all of us.

Lankatarzan Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:04 AM

4 billion dollars!!! Is it virtual....? We can build at least 5 fully equipped modern universities with this massive amount of money. Anyway from where are they going to get this money...? Another loan from China...?

GDJ100 Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:07 AM

I certainly hope this bid gos to the rival!!!! This is not the time we could be hosting more events when the WC2011 was a major FLOP!!!!

malkanthi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:12 AM

Hambantota has a port dumping million of dollars, which seem a show piece today, 'No Use' so it will be with CWG venue afterwards. What does development mean??

malkanthi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:23 AM

We don't have a good finance analyst. Someone is misleading the leaders.

pasha Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:31 AM

treat this evaluation committee well in every possible way . they will give good report about Hambantota and we will getour chance to host the game and earn money

Lankatarzan Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:27 AM

Helping Hambantota style...?

rosh Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:29 AM

No. with all the emmersed controversies, they want to sack D S De Silva & Suraj Dandeniya from SLC and appoint them in to CWG.

Subash Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:42 AM

If we do not get it it is for sure a western conspiracy!!!

Ruwan Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:43 AM

Has anyone seen how Mumbai has developed after the commonwealth games? Has anyone seen the master plan? The country will develop if we have the games in Sri Lanka. I think we have to be more positive and make the difference!

ind Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:49 AM

Is that how you deal ??

sarath Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:49 AM

Greace now looking EU BALLOUT from European Union it because of Olimpic.
in 2018 sri lanaka looking for a ballout because of this white elipant

ASHRAFF NAZIM Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:50 AM

IT WAS A GOOD MOVE TO RESHUFFLE THE SLC AND MAKE SURE THEY SELECT THE CORRECT PERSON FOR CORRECT POSITION - ASHRAFF NAZIM - DUBAI

Third Eye Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:50 AM

It's got pros and cons. But better put national interests first.

pasha Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:53 AM

Mumbai? commonwealth game?

ruggerter Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:55 AM

why hambanthota? Colombo cant expand no more when you cant expand no more you need to look for a another city to replace it with bigger space and with better infrastructure.life doesnt always have to revolve around colombo in sri lanka.we should also make jaffna a city like colombo.

i see lot of people saying why hambanthota?why not,instead looking from a negative ,think a bit about the future ,a future for our coming generations. i think president got a vision, he's not perfect in every decision tell me who is.we sometimes we have to sacrifice things for greater good

malkanthi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 07:57 AM

In that case all will have to start from the Basics. 'Cos most fellows don't have the basics in education nor leadership other than thuggery, so we are in a Fix today!

kassa Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:13 AM

Aparade Sally.

Upul Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:14 AM

I Hussein, don't you understand Sarcasm and Satire?
BTW forgot to mention Formula One Racing for the Farmers and Fishermen of Hambantota.

ASHRAFF NAZIM Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:11 AM

HAMBANTOTA IS RAPIDLY EXPANDING AND DEVELOPING AND HOPE OTHER DISTRICTS WILL NOT BE IGNORED

ASHRAFF NAZIM - DUBAI

modaya Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:12 AM

why, have you forgotten that we have one Doctor call PB Jayasundara and Niverd cabraal.

both are good accountants remember

I Hussein Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:17 AM

Cant expect much from a 'Debt collector' looking sitting on top Malkanthi.
@GDJ - I have a hunch that we will get it. If we become a failure or a flop country, someone else will be benifitted immensely.

Galbanis Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:20 AM

There is absolutely no chance that the CWG Committee will approve our Bid .

Even if we had won the Bid , filling up stadiums will be a Pretty daunting Task . During Cricket world Cup there were many empty stadiums .

I have noticed some handles here commenting on national pride and our place on the world stage .

I guess we are known on the World stage for sending a quarter of our working female population as maids/slaves to work in the middle east .

Shame on you , little Siri Lankans Frogs

HAMBA BOY Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:29 AM

Dont be skeptical.the commitee will visit sri lanka and then recommending as to where they should hold CWG.If we win the bid the benefits are immense.We could recover the cost and earn an profit from pursiung this project.Thats why the GOSL is going after it

tony Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:33 AM

New port, modern Airport, new arena in Humbanthota for what; unless the "water-buffaloes" are going to enjoy that???

Prasad Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:39 AM

All the Sri Lankan should be very happy thinking about recent past as now We are in a position to bid even.Other wise everyday will be the same story.

AMi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:39 AM

SL will never get CWG.. thats for sure. Its a waste of money and commission for you know who ..... ha ha

Prasad Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:47 AM

Think positive. Thing about the war. How many nations were against us? At least we are in a position to bid.

Above the Crowd Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:51 AM

Give it to the monkeys.

Above the Crowd Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:51 AM

Hey Rupe ,Have you got your 'A' level. If you have ' A' LEVEL
then you are not a god damn Idiot.

Tissa Wednesday, 22 June 2011 09:10 AM

Now there are ne buffolows in Hambanthota, All of them are in Col 7 area.

Samana Wednesday, 22 June 2011 09:29 AM

Here we go again, the whole dream is virtual and more likely in the clouds the latest virtual mode.

citizen1 Wednesday, 22 June 2011 10:37 AM

That's half the point! By developing some town in the countryside (out in the boonies) no one knows what the heck is going on.

Ranger Wednesday, 22 June 2011 10:40 AM

It has to be with a harbour without ships, a stadium where a spectator can see a cricket ball only like a golf ball, etc, etc.

citizen1 Wednesday, 22 June 2011 10:41 AM

Trees? You think they care about trees when they are busy trying to build a dynasty?? hehe

citizen1 Wednesday, 22 June 2011 10:44 AM

..and now financially bankrupt for the next 50 years at the rate things are going, unless a REAL miracle takes place!

citizen1 Wednesday, 22 June 2011 10:49 AM

I guess much like the benefits we reaped after the IFF event... which turned out to be a whole lot of nothing.

Sammy Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:55 PM

This will be virtual reality.

beliatta Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:00 PM

well done..

puka Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:04 PM

hh

J Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:28 PM

Hambantota is the land which was buried large number of heartfelt people with backbone who sacrificed life during to uprisings in 1987 and 1971 aginst poverty unjustice and Indian extension.
This land was flooded by tears of mothers and wifes similar to north.

If we compare with Colombo, Hambantota is the place where the most rightful of development is entitle.
I am not the follower of MR but I agreed with him for consider of Hambantota.

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 23 June 2011 03:28 AM

So is the promised Miracle of Asia!

Sue Thursday, 23 June 2011 05:19 AM

Maybe that;s why they give it to us. To see us fail and make us the laughing stock of the world.

Sue Thursday, 23 June 2011 05:37 AM

Never read a more interesting forum or thought provoking comments. This subject seems to have opened up a can of worms and the level of commenting is at its highest.
Thank you DM for giving people a chance to air their views since most of us have no other way of letting out our frustration.

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‘Hambantota’s bid is largely virtual’

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