The installation of floodlights at the Sinhalese Sports Club has now been completed, and SLC Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda said the project goes well beyond the immediate demands of the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) reported.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The report claimed that SLC has funded the floodlight project for Rs. 1.8 billion as the SSC is set to host five matches of the showpiece event. The other venues for the tournament will be the Pallekele International Stadium and the R. Premadasa Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking to journalists during a media tour to unveil the project, Godaliyadda said the long-term vision was for SSC to one day host Day-Night Test matches. While Pink-Ball matches have gained traction globally in recent years, Sri Lanka are yet to stage one at home, and the indication is that SSC will be the venue for the country\u2019s first-ever Day\/Night Test, the report claimed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The SSC ground will be leased for a certain number of days a year to SLC for conducting training and games. It is part of the agreement that the board undertook to develop the ground.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Beyond the floodlights, the first phase of development also included upgraded dressing rooms and a new VIP viewing area. A second phase, scheduled to begin after the World Cup, will focus on expanding the venue\u2019s capacity. SLC plans to upgrade SSC into a 30,000-seat stadium, a move the board believes will strengthen Sri Lanka\u2019s case when bidding for future ICC events, including women\u2019s and Under-19 tournaments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The SSC celebrated its 125th anniversary last year and has been the stage for many of Sri Lankan cricket\u2019s defining moments. The ground hosted matches during the 1996 World Cup and was the scene of the world-record partnership of 624 runs between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa in 2006.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Beyond the floodlights, the first phase of development also included upgraded dressing rooms and a new VIP viewing area. A second phase, scheduled to begin after the World Cup, will focus on expanding the venue\u2019s capacity. SLC plans to upgrade SSC into a 30,000-seat stadium, a move the board believes will strengthen Sri Lanka\u2019s case when bidding for future ICC events, including women\u2019s and Under-19 tournaments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
SLC is meanwhile pressing ahead with plans to build a new international-standard cricket ground in Jaffna and has identified several other locations for future venues, as demand for international facilities continues to grow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n