President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurates Centre of Excellence in Dambulla

In a momentous move that underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to cricket development, President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the renovated Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on February 5. The stadium has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, as a Centre of Excellence has been built to elevate Sri Lanka’s cricketing landscape.

The newly unveiled Centre of Excellence at the stadium marks a significant milestone in the ‘National Cricket Development Pathway’ program as reported by news.lk. This initiative aims to provide opportunities to young prospects, in order to nurture their skills and foster their growth. President Wickremesinghe, who has been a massive support to Sri Lankan cricket has chaired the event, emphasizing his commitment to the game’s future in the country.

Notably, the facility also has a hydrotherapy unit and a state-of-the-art medical centre which is dedicated to sports injury rehabilitation. Wickremesinghe also extended his support beyond the cricket pitch as he inaugurated a new international-level swimming pool, emphasizing the importance of overall fitness for athletes.

Apart from this, he also inaugurated the latest LED lighting system at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, bringing it up to international standards. This upgrade ensures optimal visibility during night matches, especially T20s, and positions the stadium as a premier venue in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the event also featured various cultural events, celebrating Sri Lanka’s rich heritage. Notable attendees included the Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando, along with several other ministers, former sports ministers, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board Shammi Silva, among others.

On February 6, Sri Lanka also launched the National Super League for women. A 50-over format is to be played to identify future prospects, as it will be followed by a 20-over format, which is slated to begin on February 15. Four teams will be seen participating in the competition as 60 players have registered.