Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya has appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assist in constructing an international cricket stadium in Jaffna. The request was made during Modi’s visit to Colombo on Sunday, where he met members of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning team, including Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Chaminda Vaas and Marvan Atapattu.
“There are many talented cricketers in Jaffna, so I requested the Honourable Prime Minister if he could help us build this facility… He said he would discuss with his team and definitely revert back to us soon,” Jayasuriya said in a statement to The Indian Express. Currently serving as the head coach of the Sri Lankan national team, Jayasuriya emphasized that a cricketing infrastructure in Jaffna could be a game-changer for the region.
The push for a stadium gains relevance ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka is set to co-host with India. However, Jayasuriya acknowledged the challenge of building such infrastructure amid the country’s ongoing economic crisis.
With no first-class cricket team from the Northern Province, Jayasuriya stressed that the region’s connection to mainstream Sri Lankan cricket has remained limited. “We have the grounds down south — Colombo, Hambantota, Dambulla, Pallekele — but not in the north,” he noted, adding that sports could serve as a bridge to connect communities once divided by civil conflict.
“I have pushed players into the Sri Lanka team, but this is the first time I’ve pitched for an international stadium,” Jayasuriya added, hopeful that India’s support could finally bring world-class cricketing infrastructure to Jaffna.
