Row over Galle stadium ahead of England tour

COLOMBO (AFP) — Sri Lanka's tsunami-hit cricket stadium at Galle is embroiled in a heritage row as it races to host the final Test of the England tour in December, officials said.

Jayananda Warnaweera, the curator overseeing its reconstruction, said conservationists had objected to a new building at the stadium that could obstruct views of Galle's 17th century Dutch Fort, a heritage site.

He added that he was worried about meeting the reconstruction deadline.

"We may not be able to meet the targeted November 15 deadline," Warnaweera told AFP, adding that work had also been slowed by continuous rain.

The Third Test against England is due to start at the southern coastal city's ground on December 18.

The Galle International Stadium, which sits in the shadow of the huge fort walls, was devastated by the December 2004 Indian ocean tsunami which killed an estimated 31,000 people on the island.

Sri Lanka Cricket recommenced construction of the stadium after an initial government order to move it to another location.

A new three-storey building to house player facilities has irked the Galle Heritage Foundation."The view of the Fort will be completely blocked by the new building that is coming up," the Foundation's President Parakrama Dahanayake said.

He said the Urban Development Authority had approved the blueprint on condition that it would not impede views of the 36-hectare (89-acre) fort. "The view is obscured and the Galle Fort may find itself struck off the World Heritage list as a result", Dahanayake said.

Galle has been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka with six wins in 11 Tests at the stadium.