Floodlights to be installed at SSC by January 15
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that floodlight installation at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) will be completed by January 15, ensuring the venue is ready to host matches in next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from February 7.
Sri Lanka will co‑host the T-20 world cup tournament with India in February, with SSC named alongside the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium as the three local venues. SSC is scheduled to stage five fixtures, beginning with the Group B clash between the Netherlands and Pakistan on February 7 at 11:00 a.m.
According to the senior official of SLC the SSC project involves the installation of six floodlight towers at a cost of Rs. 1.8 billion, fully funded by SLC as part of its infrastructure development program. In addition to the new lighting system, SSC is undergoing further upgrades, including renovations to the main pavilion and the relocation of broadcasting facilities.
SSC currently accommodates around 10,000 spectators, including those on grass embankments. Officials do not anticipate crowding issues, as Sri Lanka will not play any group‑stage matches at the venue With the upgrade, Colombo will boast three fully lit cricket venues SSC, R. Premadasa Stadium, and Colombo Cricket Club all of which are expected to play key roles when Sri Lanka hosts the 2027 ICC Women’s Champions Trophy.
A historic ground, SSC has hosted Test cricket since 1984 and ODIs since 1982, featuring in the 1996 Cricket World Cup and staging the 2000 Under‑19 World Cup final. In recent years, it has been used mainly for Test matches, but officials believe the addition of floodlights will restore SSC as a regular venue for limited‑overs cricket.
With the upgrade of SSC Colombo will boast three fully lit cricket venues SSC, R. Premadasa Stadium, and Colombo Cricket Club all of which are expected to play key roles when Sri Lanka hosts the 2027 ICC Women’s Champions Trophy.
