Welcome Pallekelle

Having successfully obtained a block of land in 2000 on the initiative of former Minister of Sports Laksman Kiriella the hearty founder set about levelling, grading, making the turf wicket and its periphery and the proposed Pallekelle Stadium was allowed to go into ruin.

Pallekelle Stadium

The setback was only temporary but in 2007 with the awarding of ICC World Cup event to the sub continent, work commenced immediately under the leadership of D.S. de Silva, to grow in strength, designed along the lines of Centurion Park in South Africa.
Now it's completed and given an appropriate name and is named Pallekele International Stadium. However, this venue is now one of the most picturesque cricket venues in this country, which is located in the centre of the Dumbara Valley surrounding the hills of Hunasgiriya, Nuckles Range, Hantane Mountain, this stadium was built for the World Cup and will host three preliminary pool matches for 2011. So, the stadium over here in Kandy looks set for the three World Cup games

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This stadium became the 104th Test venue in the World, and the first Test match was played between West Indies and Sri Lanka which was a washout due to rain, this became the country's eighth test venue.
The stadium is located within half-hour drive from the Kandy City.
Length of the Pallkelle stadium is 243 metres, Width is 189 metres, Height 22 metres, Radius of the stadium from the boundary line is 100 meters, length of the pitch 90 metres, width of the pitch ten metres, Outfield of the ground is covered with Australian bermuda grass, Infield of the ground is covered with lushes Blue grass.
When Lakshman Kiriella was the Minster of Tourism and Sports, the first discussion was chaired by him on 19th December 2000 at the Tourism Ministry premises with officials of the BOI and Sri Lanka Cricket regarding the venue at the Pallekele High Tech International Training Centre, to make way for a Cricket Stadium and Sports Complex with a 99-year lease agreement.
The Minister had requested the BOI and Sri Lanka Cricket to make Pallekele an eco-friendly stadium in keeping with the panoramic beauty of the Dumabara Valley. It was Lakshman Kiriella who requested BOI chairman to release this land for a International Cricket Ground.
To co-ordinate and complete the stadium and meet dead line given by the ICC inspection teams a very big hand should go to the Chairman Sri Lanka Cricket, D S de Silva for ensuring that all aspect of getting the job done was on tract and supervised by him until completion, it's great relief for him to sit back and have that over the moon feeling having completed the stadium on time.
This stadium is the latest venue in the city of Kandy. At The Central Provincial Council meeting held in 2010, it was unanimously decided to rename this stadium as "Muthiah Muralideran Cricket Stadium" to pay a tribute and honour the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan the Worlds highest wicket taker in Test Cricket.
The Pallekele stadium is now fully owned by Sri Lanka Cricket and now displaces its earlier venue in Kandy the Asgiriya Stadium which hosted both Test and One day Internationals from 1983 to 2007.
This stadium was built by the State Engineering Corporation and is designed along on the lines of Super Sport Park in Centurion, South Africa.
It would be appropriate to mention that C P P Raj - Manager Operations, Sri Lanka Cricket at Pallakelle International Cricket Stadium with his team ensured the completion of the stadium on time with many constrains particulary the adverse weather conditions with invaluable advices and guidance from his superior the Chairman Interim Committee D.S. de Silva and the State Engineering Corporation.
This writer who was the Liaison Manger of the 1996 World Cup Kenya team, spoke to some of the prominent figures in Kandy and go their views : -
Governor Central Province Tikiri Kibbekaduwa The game of cricket which has a long history in our country reached the climax and popularity when Sri Lanka won the 1996 World Cup. I am pleased that three World Cup 2011 matches are being played at Pallakelle in our Province.
We are extremely proud that the Captain of the Sri Lanka team Kumar Sangakkara is from Kandy. In addition Muttiah Muralitharan the Internationally famed highest wicket taker together with Chamara Kapugedera, an up-and-coming cricketer are the other two who are playing for our country.
The organizers have taken a great deal of interest to make suitable arrangements for the historical event and the cricket fans will be fortunate to see International Cricket greats in action in our own grounds.
I wish our National Team all the luck and hope they will repeat their 1996 achievement and bring the World Cup to Sri Lanka! A big thank you to chairman SLC D S de Silva.
Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake an ardent sports promoter. He is the President of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation and Vice President of the North Central Province Cricket Association, said I am really proud of the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, which will host three World Cup games.
It is going to be a historic occasion, and the fans from Central Province should be thankful to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chairman SLC D S de Silva for the interest in completing the Pallekelle Stadium.
It is significant to note that the Central Province is blessed with three test venues. First it was the Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium. Rangiri Dambula International Cricket Stadium and now the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.

Minister of Media- Keheliya Rambukwella- For a country emerging after 30 years of Civil War the 2011 cricket World Cup is the stage to show what Sri Lanka is capable of. My best wishes to the Sri Lanka Cricket team, I am happy that the Palekele International Stadium is situated in my electorate, and is going to be the best test venue in the country. For Kandy to have a cricket stadium is a very laudable idea.
The hill capital has its own history - covering nearly four hundred and fifty years - second only to that of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
The Central Province must thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLC Chairman D S de Silva.

Minister of Sports - Mahindananda Aluthgamage- The ICC World Cup is one of the biggest stages in International sport and Sri Lanka wants to make sure we feature during the tournament.
The stadiums have had major improvements despite the wave of criticism that has been levelled on the construction of three stadiums. The ICC hosts global events and Sri Lanka stands to benefit, fulfilling obligations when hosting tournaments run by them.
We look forward to great cricket for Sri Lanka to bring honour both for the country and the sport.
Member of Parliament- Lakshman Kiriella - Former Minister of Tourism and Sports who initiated the construction of Pallakele stadium. Sri Lanka team can take great pride in the way it has shaped the careers of the National team and helped it to become one of the World's best.
So as you will see the success of '96 - repeat will light as many factors and the return of the World Cup to the Sub-Continent is just one of them. Best wishes to Kumar Sangakkara and the team.
Mayor of Kandy - Raja Pushpakumara- [17th Mayor of Kandy] Our heroes of cricket are the ones that challenge the norms. That can only happen when the country itself has the capacity to be strong in the sport they are taking part.
I wish Sri Lanka Cricket our best wishes in their endeavour to succeed and bring back the World Cup once again.
The Pallekele Stadium is the best thing that happened to cricket in Kandy. A big thank you to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLC President D S de Silva.
Sarath Kongahage- Chairman Rupavahini Corporation said.
I am an old boy of Dahrmaraja College where I was upto Grade 9.
During my school days Kandy had no proper cricket playing field for International Games.
Matches were played at Trinity College grounds and Campus grounds Peradeniya.
As a schoolboy I saw international teams playing with Central Province and Up-Country, that time we didn't have test status.
He said that Kandy should be very proud and happy, as they have got a International cricket stadium which is going to be the best in the country with a 35,000 crowd capacity, thanks to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chairman SLC D S de Silva.
B D R Rajan- [Business magnate of Kandy] The ODI series with West Indies has filled the team with confidence and are ready to take any team the World Cup.
The Pallekele Stadium is a huge motivation to do well in all formats of the game.
Our best wishes and good luck to Sri Lanka cricket.
Sri Lanka can't be ruled out since they have a good team and can win the 2011 World Cup.



Daily News By Hafiz Marikar