By Channaka de Silva

In an ambitious plan to stem the alarming slide of standards of the game, Sri Lanka Cricket has already set in motion the initial steps of setting up a cricket campus in Kandy.

SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala who has devised the plan has already obtained the SLC Executive Committee approval for the massive project.

SLC has already entered into a 90-year lease agreement with the Malwatte Maha Viharaya to secure a 300-perch land in Katugastota area overlooking the Mahaweli river for the planned Campus. SLC signed the lease agreement on April 20, this year.

Sumathipala had briefed the SLC management committee on the project on April 21.

The MOU had also been submitted to the asset management committee subsequently.

SLC ex-co has ratified the lease application handed over by the Department of Buddhist affairs for the land of an extent of one acre, two roods and 16.5 perches.

The land belongs to the Gangaramaya Raja Maha Viharaya.

The lease for the first 30 years would be Rs. 26,250,000 to be paid in segments on an annual basis.

SLC has also made a donation of Rs. 25 million to the Shiyamopali Maha Nikaya Malwatte Chapter for an ongoing project and has made another Rs. 25 million donation to the Gangaramaya Raja Maha Viharaya.

SLC President has undertaken to discuss these donations with the SLC executive committee and the Management committee.

SLC executive committee has approved a Rs. 50 million for the donations.