Soon, the iconic Galle International Stadium can organise their last international cricket match as it can be omitted from the international cricket circuit. The reason for this fate due to its pavilion stand which has been violated heritage laws protecting a 17th-century Dutch fort.
The fort can lose its UNESCO World Heritage status due to the unauthorised construction of the pavilion, stated by the Cultural Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. The pavilion has 500 seats.
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Rajapakshe said that they have to decide whether they want to protect the fort in the World Heritage list or protect the pavilion.
Rajapakshe said on this, “We have to decide if we want to remain in the World Heritage list or keep the pavilion.”
The Galle International Stadium is considered to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. Also, it is known one of the luckiest cricket ground for the Sri Lankan cricket team.
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Till the date, Galle has organised a total of 37 international games (31 Tests and 6 ODIs). Out of 31 Tests, Sri Lanka won in 18 games which is their second most number Test victories at a particular ground (Sri Lanka won 19 Tests at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo).
Recently, in June 2017, Galle organised two ODI matches first time since July 2000.
Galle organised the last international match in the last week and that was the first Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa where Sri Lanka won by 278 runs.
In this November, England will play one Test against the hosts at this venue.
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However, the Sri Lankan Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha has claimed that the demolition work of the pavilion will not happen immediately.
He said, “We want to maintain the World Heritage status for the fort. We will work out an alternative.”
Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga has suggested to protecting both.
He said, “We need to keep both the heritage status for the fort and at the same time play international matches at Galle.”
Meanwhile, Rajapakshe claimed that the government has a plan to build another cricket ground in Galle soon.
He said, “We could have another cricket grounds in Galle soon.”
