Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has questioned the decision to construct another international cricket stadium in the country, saying that we don’t even play enough international cricket or domestic first class cricket in the existing stadiums we have.
“We don’t even play enough international cricket or domestic first class cricket in the existing stadiums we have … Do we need another one?” Jayawardene tweeted.
Yesterday, the Government announced that Sri Lanka’s biggest cricket stadium to be constructed in Homagama. Cabinet co-spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development Priyath Bandu Wickrama visited the proposed land allocated to build the land along with Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva.
Bandula Gunawardena said that ground will be completely constructed within 3 years. He said that 26 acres of land has been allocated for the project at Diyagama in Homagama. The project had been initiated when Mahinda Rajapaksa was President but was later suspended.
Gunawardena said that the international cricket stadium will initially have a seating capacity of 40,000 and will be able to host day and night matches. Under the second stage, the stadium will have an additional 20,000 seating capacity, taking the total seating capacity to 60,000.
It is noteworthy that Sri Lanka already has three international cricket stadiums in country’s capital Colombo – Sinhalese Sports Club, R. Premadasa, P. Sara.
