Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) formally laid the foundation stone in Mandaitivu, Jaffna. The ceremony was attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and SLC President Shammi Silva also in attendance.
The project will establish Jaffna as the seventh international cricket venue in Sri Lanka and the fifth with floodlights, vastly enhancing the region’s sporting infrastructure .
The President AKD laid the foundation stone today
The stadium will be built on a 42-acre parcel in Mandaitivu, roughly 8 km from Jaffna city center. The land offers scenic views, with the city skyline visible from the site and proximity to the sea and lagoon.
A full cricket complex with 10 center wickets and 80-meter boundary distances, exceeding standard requirements. Seating capacity for 40,000 spectators, aiming to establish the site as a regional cricket hub. Sports City expansion: amenities include an indoor multisport arena, swimming pool, cricket academy, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment facilities.
Cricket icon Sanath Jayasuriya championed the initiative, even appealing to Indian PM Modi for support during his recent visit to Colombo. The intent was to boost cricket in the Northern Province and foster unity across Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Cricket and the government, including the Sports Minister, have been working to secure backing—particularly from India. Talks continue amid growing momentum for the project.
Some environmental groups have raised alarms about developing a fragile mangrove reserve in the lagoon area. They caution of potential risks to biodiversity and natural flood defense systems.
