New cricket stadium opens in Sri Lanka's hill country

[Celeste]

Nov 27, Colombo: The new Pallekale international cricket stadium, about 120 km northeast of Colombo in Sri Lanka's hill country was declared open ceremoniously this morning amid religious observances. The new stadium which is one of the venues for the 2011 World Cup can accommodate 30,000 spectators. A state-of-the-art facility for the players and the media is under construction. The facility will be ready for the World Cup in 2011. Three World Cup matches are scheduled to play in the new stadium. Sri Lanka Cricket appreciated the efforts by the former director of cricket operation Bandula Warnapura and the support given by the Pallekale prisoners in helping with the construction of the grounds and the center turf. A warm up match will be played at the stadium today between touring Bangladesh Under 19 cricket team and Sri Lanka Board XI while an official match will be played on Sunday 29th between Pakistan and Bangladesh U-19 teams. http://www.colombopage.com/archive_091/Nov1259297528CH.html