worldcup2011-Rajpaksa

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa,
Location	Sooriyawewa
Establishment	2010
Capacity	35,000
Owner	Sri Lanka Cricket
Tenants	2011 WorldCup
First ODI	9 Dec 2010, SL v WI

        Established in 2009, the venue is being built exclusively for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and will host two CWC matches. Sri Lanka Cricket considered building new venues when existing grounds like Galle, SSC and P Sara Oval, did not qualify for having capacity crowds of less than 20,000.

       The project to build an international cricket stadium in Hambantota with lights was approved in 2006 by Sri Lanka Cricket. The entire cost of the stadium is estimated to be US$7.86 million and is expected to be ready by August 2010.