Cricket returns to Sooriyawewa

Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Sooriyawewa is set to host international cricket in two years, when Sri Lanka host Zimbabwe in July.

Built at a cost of Rs. 2.452 billion ahead of the 50-over World Cup in 2011, has been abandoned since 2016 when the current administrators took control of the million-dollar business due to its ‘remoteness’.

However, the board has decided to renovate the facility to host international cricket once again.

“The stadium which had fallen into a state of disrepair is to be renovated ahead of the Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka at the end of June this year, and will host 3 of five One Day International matches of the tour”, the board said in a statement.

“The remoteness of MRICS has resulted in teams declining the use of the stadium regularly and MRICS currently receives no income whilst costing SLC approximately Rs. 18 Million annually for basic maintenance and utilities.The re-purposing of the venue is hoped to bring in an annual income that would enable the stadium to function independently without cost to SLC. To this end, SLC today also announced the establishment of a 40 bed dormitory facility at Hambanthota, to cater to the residential and basic recreational needs of visiting teams.

The Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to get underway on the 27th of June this year, and the playing of 3 ODI games as day games, is expected to give SLC a saving of approximately Rs. 10 Million (Cost of playing under lights, ) which amount will be invested into the MRICS renovations. The 3rd, 4th and 5th ODI’s scheduled to be played on the 6th, 8th and 10th of July respectively will mark the re-opening of MRICS as a functional international cricketing venue.

Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Sooriyawewa is set to host international cricket in two years, when Sri Lanka host Zimbabwe in July.

Built at a cost of Rs. 2.452 billion ahead of the 50-over World Cup in 2011, has been abandoned since 2016 when the current administrators took control of the million-dollar business due to its ‘remoteness’.

However, the board has decided to renovate the facility to host international cricket once again.

“The stadium which had fallen into a state of disrepair is to be renovated ahead of the Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka at the end of June this year, and will host 3 of five One Day International matches of the tour”, the board said in a statement.

“The remoteness of MRICS has resulted in teams declining the use of the stadium regularly and MRICS currently receives no income whilst costing SLC approximately Rs. 18 Million annually for basic maintenance and utilities.The re-purposing of the venue is hoped to bring in an annual income that would enable the stadium to function independently without cost to SLC. To this end, SLC today also announced the establishment of a 40 bed dormitory facility at Hambanthota, to cater to the residential and basic recreational needs of visiting teams.

The Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to get underway on the 27th of June this year, and the playing of 3 ODI games as day games, is expected to give SLC a saving of approximately Rs. 10 Million (Cost of playing under lights, ) which amount will be invested into the MRICS renovations. The 3rd, 4th and 5th ODI’s scheduled to be played on the 6th, 8th and 10th of July respectively will mark the re-opening of MRICS as a functional international cricketing venue.