The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has doubled the allocation for a new indoor sports complex in Valikamam South, launching a Rs. 330 million project that party leaders say exposes the government’s “cheap political agenda” over abandoned plans for a similar facility.
The foundation stone was laid on Tuesday (25) on land belonging to the Valikamam South Pradeshiya Sabha, with ITAK Parliamentary Group Leader Shanakiyan Rasamanickam declaring the project a demonstration of what local institutions can achieve when empowered with authority and resources.
“This project clearly disproves the narrative that ITAK opposed development,” Rasamanickam said. “If ITAK was opposed to development, this project would not be happening today. An ITAK‑controlled local authority has identified an appropriate alternative location and is now investing Rs. 330 million, almost twice the allocation of the original government proposal,to deliver an indoor sports facility for the people of Valikamam South.”
He recalled that the government had earlier proposed a Rs. 170 million indoor stadium at Jaffna’s historic Old Park complex, but construction was halted after the High Court issued an interim order citing the site’s status as charitable trust property dating back to 1853.
“The cheap political agenda was to create the impression that ITAK had objected to development,” Rasamanickam said. “But when a particular location has legal or other legitimate issues, the obvious solution is to find an alternative site, not abandon the project and blame those who raised concerns.”
The new facility, funded by the Pradeshiya Sabha, will provide modern amenities for youth, athletes, and the wider community, contributing significantly to sports infrastructure in the Jaffna District.
Rasamanickam stressed the importance of meaningful devolution, saying: “This is precisely why we need Provincial Councils with real powers and adequate resources. Development cannot always be planned and decided from Colombo. Local and provincial institutions must have the authority, resources and responsibility to identify what their communities need and deliver those projects.”
He also called for a dedicated maintenance fund to ensure long‑term sustainability: “When we invest Rs. 330 million of public money in a building, we must also protect that investment. Maintenance cannot be an afterthought.”
The ceremony was led by Valikamam South Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman T. Prakash, with ITAK President C. V. K. Sivagnanam, General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran PC, former Northern Provincial Council Member S. Sugirthan, the Mayor of Jaffna, and other local representatives in attendance. (Newswire)