News

Revamped Dambulla Stadium equipped for Day-night Cricket

Published

2 years ago

December 21, 2023

editor

Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium is now equipped to host floodlight (day-night) cricket matches, sporting a revamped venue with a modern light system, said a senior official of SLC.

The Dambulla Stadium faced challenges playing under lights due to light capacity issues, but it has now been constructed with a new light system, the official of SLC said.

SLC cricket management’s decision to install a new light system has been completed, with six LED light towers surrounding the ground.

Dambulla is the only venue in Sri Lanka featuring LED bulbs, incorporating new technology with dim functionality similar to stadiums in India, and Australia used for franchise tournaments like IPL and Big Bash League.

Dambulla venue earlier had eight light towers, each with 160 lights. In the new construction, six light towers are positioned around the ground, with one tower including 660 LED lights. The height of the towers has increased from 33m to 58m, providing the necessary power capacity to meet international standards, said the SLC official.

While there were plans to host Zimbabwe T-20 matches in Dambulla, accommodations issues led to a relocation of these matches to Colombo. There is also a proposal to add more seats for spectators, with all the funds coming from SLC. This development aims to provide valuable exposure for Sri Lanka cricketers in day-night games at Dambulla, he said.

Constructed in 2000 on a 60-acre land near Dambulla town by former Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala, the ground has a capacity of 16,800. The inaugural ODI between Sri Lanka and England was played at Dambulla on March 23, 2001.

Floodlights were installed in 2003, and after 20 years, the current Cricket Administration, headed by Shammi Silva established this new floodlights system. To date, 55 ODI matches have been played at Dambulla, with Sri Lanka winning 25 matches. Lasith Malinga played his 200th ODI at this ground on August 20, 2017 against India.

Notably, both Farveez Maharoof and Taskin Ahmed from Bangladesh took hat-tricks on the Dambulla wicket, while Muttaih Muralitharan holds the highest number of wickets (42) at this stadium and Mahela Jayawardena scored the highest runs (1148) by a single player.

(dailynews.lk)

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

9 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, arrested

Published

20 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.