Overview

This is the headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket, with the main administration offices located at the ground, but it has been superseded by the Premadasa as the premier venue in Colombo. The ground, which has belonged to the SSC since 1952, was used as an aerodrome by Allied forces during the Second World War, but hosted its first SRi Lanka match (against an Indian XI) in 1974. A giant scoreboard and sightscreens incorporating facilities for televising and print media were constructed in the mid-seventies. The SSC later expanded by replacing the existing scoreboard with one facing the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters and recently built a large media centre at one end and an air-conditioned commentary box at the other. The main pavilion incorporates the dressing rooms, plus covered seating for members. Most of the public areas are open grass banks. Sri Lanka recorded their first ever ODI win, here, against a Test-playing country during the Asia Cup 1986, when they defeated Pakistan by five wickets. The ground has been a happy hunting ground for Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas (a one-day world record 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe and 14 for 191 against the West Indies in a Test).
Andrew McGlashan