After reconstruction of the ground and an installation of the new light system, Rangiri Dambulla International cricket stadium will re-opened by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on February 5 at 7 pm.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) made a valiant effort to install a new light system for the day night cricket matches.
Dambulla International Stadium has now been reconstructed with a new system, said SLC Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyedde who is a product of St. Thomas’ Matale.
SLC management decision to install a new light system has been completed with six LED light towers surrounding the ground and earlier it had less capacity with eight towers and now Dambulla is the only Sri Lanka cricket venue featuring LED bulbs. It is incorporating new technology with dim functionally similar to Stadia in India and Australia used for franchise tournaments like IPL and Big Bash League (BBL).
The SLC treasurer said the new construction six light towers are positioned around the ground with one tower including 660 LED lights with more light capacity. Not only that the height of the new towers has increased from 33m to 58m providing the necessary power capacity to meet International standards, added Sujeewa.
The ground comprises ten turf wickets with side wickets for training, scoreboard, seating area, and pavilion also ready to play International standard while car parking is also provided. Sri Lanka will play three T- 20 matches against Afghanistan which will be held on February 17, 19 and 21 and each match will commence at 7 pm under lights.
Former SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala was the man behind the success of Dambulla Stadium with the floodlight been installed in 2003 and after 20 years the present Cricket Administration headed by Shammi Silva established a system with modern technology. Upto date 55 ODI matches have been played at Dambulla with Sri Lanka winning 25 matches.
Sports Minister Harin Fernando earlier said he had successful discussion with India Cricket Board Secretary Jeah Shah, requesting at least three IPL matches in Sri Lanka. The Indian Cricket Board has shown interest in Sri Lanka hosting IPL matches, with Dambulla and Hambantota being the priority venues.
The Sports Minister also has an idea to make the venues as tourist hubs to promote the industry.
Dambulla Stadium has 16,800 capacity for spectators while the last T-20 against India was played at June 27 in 2022 and after 20 months SLC is ready to play T-20 international at Dambulla.
In addition to the Sports Minister, State Minister of Sports Rohana Dissanayake, SLC senior officials are expected to take part in the opening ceremony of Dambulla Stadium where President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be the chief guest.
Dhammika Ratnaweera