Hambantota international cricket stadium, hambantota weather, hambantota cricket stadium
Hambantota international cricket stadium, hambantota weather, hambantota cricket stadium
Thousands welcomed the World Cup to Hambantota on Sunday, and in a land of ancient temples and leopards, even an elephant slowly ambled along to mark the occasion.
Fans had bought their tickets well in advance of Sri Lanka’s clash with Canada at the 35,000 capacity Mahinda Rajapakse stadium which was hosting international cricket for the first time.
“I am elated. Two World Cup matches coming to our part of the country is a double delight,” said Nuwan Tharanga, who travelled 50 kilometres on public transport from Beliatta with his son Thishanta.
The match opened amidst defeaning music, while the official World Cup song was presented in Sinhalese.
It was then that a wild elephant emerged from the forests to peer curiously over the stadium fence.
“It’s historic and because of the World Cup our province now has new roads and other facilities which will go a long way in the development of this part of the country,” added Tharanga.
The Bundala National Park, Yala National Park – with the highest concentration of leopards in the world – and the temples at Kataragama are major tourist attractions in an area which was devastated by the 2004 tsunami.
“I arranged my tour three months ago,” said Tim Mathiason, from Canberra, Australia.
“First my son and I visited all the parks and now we have tickets for both the matches in Hambantota, it’s a very good stadium.”
The ground, named after the country’s president, was built for the World Cup at a cost of around $8million.
Rajapakse was expected to inaugurate the stadium, which will also host the Pakistan-Kenya match on Wednesday, later Sunday.
On the way to the stadium, there were stalls selling national flags and blue and yellow Sri Lankan team shirts, going for $10 to 20.
Courtesy: Times of India
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