President opens renovated R. Premadasa International Stadium for World Cup

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday declared open the renovated R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium at Kettarama in Colombo for the World Cup Cricket matches scheduled to commence later this week.

The R. Premadasa International Stadium formerly known as the Kettarama Cricket Stadium is the largest stadium in the country and can accommodate 35,000 spectators.

It has been renovated and refurbished by the State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka, at a cost of Rs. 1.2 billion.

Seven of the matches scheduled to host in Sri Lanka including a quarterfinal and a semifinal will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The first match to be played is Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan on February 26.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa, ICC Events Manager Chris Tetley, Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D.S. De Silva, Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, Treasurer Sujeewa Rajapaksa and the officials of the Ministry of Sports and the Sri Lanka Cricket were also present.