Sri Lankan cricket great Sanath Jayasuriya faced the first ball under the newly installed floodlights at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground on Wednesday, marking a historic milestone for the iconic Colombo venue.
The floodlights were officially opened by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, with Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka bowling the inaugural delivery to Jayasuriya before the ceremonial friendly match between SSC and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Development team.
The moment symbolised SSC’s transition into a day-night cricket venue, adding a modern dimension to one of Sri Lanka’s most historic cricket grounds. Officials said the installation of floodlights will expand the venue’s ability to host international and domestic matches, training sessions and major events.
The floodlight installation is part of a broader upgrade programme at SSC ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Sri Lanka Cricket investing around Rs. 1.7 billion in ongoing development work at the venue.
SSC is scheduled to host five matches during the tournament, with the first fixture set for February 7, 2026, between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
According to Sri Lanka Cricket, the new floodlighting system is based on advanced LED technology designed to meet international sports and broadcast standards, providing enhanced visibility for players, officials and spectators.
SSC, founded in 1891, is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s premier cricket venues and has hosted numerous international matches. The latest upgrades are expected to strengthen Colombo’s infrastructure as the country prepares to co-host the global tournament. (Newswire)
Sri Lankan cricket great Sanath Jayasuriya faced the first ball under the newly installed floodlights at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground on Wednesday, marking a historic milestone for the iconic Colombo venue.
The floodlights were officially opened by Sports Minister… pic.twitter.com/2ruGzzVMmt
— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) January 28, 2026
