Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium (JICS) in Mandaitivu, Jaffna.
The ceremony was graced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, along with the participation of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the invitation of SLC President Shammi Silva.
The Jaffna International Cricket Stadium will become the country’s seventh international cricket venue and the fifth stadium equipped with floodlights.
The construction of the stadium forms part of SLC’s broader vision to establish a Sports City in Jaffna, spanning 138 acres. Once completed, the Sports City will include a swimming pool complex, a multi-sport indoor arena, star-class hotels and restaurants, a shopping mall and entertainment facilities, among many others.
The international cricket ground will be built across 48 acres, featuring 10 center wickets with boundary distance extending up to 80 meters, exceeding international standards.
The venue will have a spectator capacity of 40,000, positioning it as a premier cricket destination in the region.
This landmark initiative marks a significant step in promoting cricket development in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province and also complements SLC’s National Pathway Program, which is dedicated to creating equal opportunities for talented cricketers across the island to rise through the ranks and represent the national team.
Members of the Sri Lanka Cricket Executive Committee and the SLC Management were present during the occasion.
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