Southern Province Cricketers Now Safe from the Monsoon

Minister Richard Pathirana, Sri Lanka s Minister of Education and Higher Education paid a glowing tribute to Jayananda Warnaweera, the CEO of the Galle International Stadium when the indoor practice nets for Southern Province were officially declared open during the first test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka. The Minister of Environment and Forestry, Mahinda Wijesekera, was also present at the opening ceremony.

The indoor school comprises three nets with 20-foot run-ups and modern lighting. Upstairs there is also a fully equipped gymnasium. The facilities will allow schools and clubs to practice during the monsoon period and after darkness has fallen. Prior to this development there had been no indoor facilities in the Southern Province.

Minister Richard Pathirana, who addressed the gathering, gave due recognition to Jayananda Warnaweera who had been the driving force behind the new facilities and success story of Galle International Stadium in the past few years. The stadium has now staged four test matches, the first of which was against New Zealand in 1997/98.

CricInfo spoke with Warnaweera to discuss the developments currently being undertaken in the Southern Province and the plans for the future.

Q: What further development plans do you have in view for this picturesque ground?

A: Well we are yet to construct a proper stand, which could accommodate up to 5000 spectators. We are also looking ahead to having floodlights so that Day/Night matches could be played. The Day/Night are the real crowd pullers in this country.

Q: I believe you are also the secretary of the Southern Province Cricket Association, How do you envisage the future of the game in this part of the country?

A: Well Errol when we have a dynamic Board President, Thilanga Sumathipala, who is a man with a vision and a man for whom nothing is impossible. Galle and Matara have now made tremendous strides forward in their cricket facilities and organisation. There is a tremendous wealth of talent in this part of the country, as we all know, Sanath Jayasuriya is from Matara.

My aim is to go further, to Tangalle and Hambantota. Many youngsters from these areas have taken to the game in a big way. The cricket grounds in that area will certainly improve their game. We are working on this area now.

Q: How would you keep the youngsters of this area tied down to the area without allowing them to migrate to Colombo?

A: We are looking for sponsors and all the assistance of the BCCSL.

Q: Galle International Cricket Stadium has three practice indoor nets now. How did these come about and whose brainchild was it.

A: Well you see the need was there for a long time. I personally spoke to the Cricket Board President who gave me all the encouragement to go ahead. Previously there had been no indoor nets around in Galle and Matara and when the weather was bad cricketers were unable to practice.

Q: You as secretary of the Southern Province Cricket, could you say that there are any future Test players to come out of the area?

A: Well the district has provided three players for the National Under 17 squad and four players for Under 19 s quad. One of them who I wish not to mention by name will certainly play Test cricket before long.

Thank you very much for giving us your time on this interview.

The three nets all have a 20 foot bowlers line up with proper lighting facilities, which could be used at night. Speaking to one of the Galle CC cricketers who told CricInfo that those nets will be in tremendous demand. He said "Now we can come straights after work and have a good practice till late night." A school Master coach from Richmond College said the school can now practice at night till about 9.00 PM. He further said that those nets will certainly help the game to grow in the area.

South African skipper Shaun Pollock bowled the first ball at the nets to Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya. A great reception was hosted for the two teams and the greats by the Southern Province Cricket Association to culminate the days proceedings