Thanks to `Tharunyata Hetak`:

Dinesh WEERAWANSA

World Cup Cricket will come to Hambantota in 2011 The `Tharunyata Hetak` movement which has given a new dimension for youth in Sri Lanka, has taken the initiative of constructing an ultra modern international cricket stadium in Hambantota.

President of the `Tharunyata Hetak` and former Sri Lanka Under-19 rugby captain Namal Rajapaksa disclosed this when he laid the foundation stone for a new swimming pool project at the Giggles International School, Gothatuwa New Town yesterday.

Addressing a well-attended gathering at the Giggles International School, the former Thomian rugby captain said the new Hambantota International Cricket Stadium would host the 2011 ICC World Cup tournament. He added that the construction of the 30,000-seat flood-lit stadium would be completed by 2010.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has already given its blessings for the `Tharunyata Hetak` movement to go ahead with the International Stadium project and has already assured them that the SLC would offer a semi-final match of the 2011 World Cup tournament to Sri Lanka`s newest international cricket stadium.

Initial feasibility studies have already been done and the construction work would begin soon.

It would be constructed though an investor who would sign an agreement with the `Tharunyata Hetak` movement for the new venture on a BOT (build, operate and transfer) basis.

The proposed International Cricket Stadium will be built to international standards, meeting all necessary ICC requirements. It will also have facilities to host day night matches with an ultra modern flood lighting system.

Once the construction work is completed by 2010, the new Hambantota International Cricket Stadium would host several domestic and international cricket matches before it would be blessed with a semi final match of the 2011 ICC World Cup tournament for which Sri Lanka is a co-host with other ICC full members in the subcontinent.

The proposed Hambantota International Cricket Stadium will be a big boost for the promotion of the game in the outstation and would also enable Sri Lanka to host foreign teams during the rainy season in the Western Province.

Sri Lanka`s only international cricket stadium in the dry zone - the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, has been a blessing for Sri Lanka Cricket whenever international matches scheduled in Colombo are threatened by bad weather.

Hence, the world`s newest cricketing destination would enable Sri Lanka to host international matches during any period of the year.

The `Tharunyata Hetak` movement has gone from strength to strength during its short 30-month history and even extended their solidarity the youth in the Northern Province with a swimming pool project at the Jaffna University recently.

Chief guest at yesterday`s function, Rajapaksa has been a versatile rugby player during his school career at S.Thomas` College, Mt. Lavinia and captained his alma mater and Sri Lanka Under-19 teams with distinction.

He wished the Giggles International School all success in their sports endeavours and said the new swimming pool project would be a big boon not only to the students but all youth in the area.

Principal of the Giggles International School, Thushari Koralage said their wish to encourage students is both co-curricular and extra curricular activities and to be an international school with all sports facilities at one place by 2012.