Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium (JICS) in Mandaitivu, Jaffna on 1st September 2025. The ceremony was graced by His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the participation of the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the invitation of Mr. Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket.
The Jaffna International Cricket Stadium will become the country’s seventh international cricket venue and the fifth stadium equipped with floodlights.
The construction of the stadium forms part of SLC’s broader vision to establish a Sports City in Jaffna, spanning 138 acres. Once completed, the Sports City will include a swimming pool complex, a multi-sport indoor arena, star-class hotels and restaurants, a shopping mall and entertainment facilities, among many others.
The international cricket ground will be built across 48 acres, featuring 10 center wickets with boundary distance extending up to 80 meters, exceeding international standards. The venue will have a spectator capacity of 40,000, positioning it as a premier cricket destination in the region.
This landmark initiative marks a significant step in promoting cricket development in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. It complements SLC’s National Pathway Program, which is dedicated to creating equal opportunities for talented cricketers across the island to rise through the ranks and represent the national team.
Members of the Sri Lanka Cricket Executive Committee, the SLC Management, Northern Province Cricket Association staff and District Cricket Association staff also present during the occasion.
