Dambulla to get floodlights before England series

The Sri Lankan board plans to erect permanent floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in time for England's arrival in November.

A dry-zone region located 87 miles north of Colombo, Dambulla will become only the second venue in Sri Lanka to have permanent floodlights. This means that all three one-day internationals on England's tour of Sri Lanka will now be day-night matches. Dambulla will host the first match, while the last two games will be played at the Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo.

The BCCSL hopes that the floodlights, which will cost approximately US$250,000, will allow Sri Lanka to host more ODIs. They will also increase the value of television rights because of better viewing times in England.

The bill for the new lights will be paid for after an agreement with Cricket Australia, under which Australia will play two extra ODIs when they tour Sri Lanka in February-March 2004. They will now play a five-match series.