Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) alleged that the council was going to lease out the Edward Henry Pedris Ground in Colombo to a school without considering the vehement opposition of the residence in the area. JVP Councilor Hemantha Weerakone told The Morning that CMC Mayor Rosy Senanayake had already started the initial plans to facilitate the leasing process. The resolution that had been entered to the agenda of the session of the CMC to be held on the 24th by the JVP Councilors that the ground should be made available to school children and youths attached to sports clubs in the area has been withdrawn, Weerakone said. Heemantha further said several citizens’ associations in the area are preparing to hand over a petition to the Mayoress protesting against the decision to lease out the old playground that had been a benefited to the children and school children as well as budding sports men and women to develop their skills and talents. Edward Henry Pedris Grounds, a multi-purpose stadium is currently used for football, rugby union and basketball matches. In 2016, the ground was given to Isipathana College to be used as the school sports ground under a Memorandum of Understanding between the school and the CMC. Attempts to contact the Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake to clarify the story were futile. (MM)