Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated a series of development projects in Jaffna, with the centrepiece being a long-awaited international cricket stadium. Scheduled for completion by next year, the venue is poised to host international matches soon after, marking a transformative moment for cricket in the north.
Cricket, the Pulse of Jaffna
For more than a century, cricket has been Jaffna’s heartbeat. The famed “Battle of the North” between St. John’s College and Jaffna Central College has enthralled generations, even if most matches have unfolded on matting wickets. The arrival of a turf-based international facility promises to elevate the game, offering local players conditions to match the highest standards.
A Nursery Already Blooming
The north has steadily begun producing players of pedigree. Leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth has already worn Sri Lanka’s jersey and secured an IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad. The current Sri Lanka Under-19 squad touring the West Indies includes two Jaffna youngsters – Kugathas Mathulan and Vigneshwaran Akash – underscoring the region’s growing talent pipeline.
From Idea to Action
The dream of an international stadium in Jaffna has lingered for years, but momentum accelerated when former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya personally lobbied Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support.
We are confident work will be wrapped up within a year. A few loose ends need tying up before we announce a game, but we believe international cricket will be played here by next year.
India’s Hand and SLC’s Push
Dissanayake added that Indian assistance was expected following Jayasuriya’s appeal, with SLC also committed to funding.
This is about taking cricket to every corner of the island while giving northern talent a level playing field. It will be a facility on par with Pallekele or Dambulla. Beyond hosting internationals, the ground will serve as a nursery for promising players in the region.
A Packed Future, A Place for Jaffna
Sri Lanka’s 2026 calendar is already bursting, with the nation co-hosting the ICC T20 World Cup alongside India and welcoming heavyweight tours from India, England, and Pakistan. At least one of those bilateral fixtures is tipped to be staged in Jaffna, a symbolic culmination of decades of yearning in a city once scarred by conflict.
