No gate for final Test

S M Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy sports corr

There is good news for cricket fans in the hill capital that no gate will be charged for the maiden cricket Test match at Pallekelle between Sri Lanka and the West Indies which will be played at the new Test venue of Pallekelle Cricket Stadium which will commence on tomorrow.

This was disclosed to the Daily News by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D Somachandra de Silva. He said that spectators will not be allowed into areas of the stadium which are still under construction such as the vacant areas and scoreboard area.

But the comforts of spectators have been looked into and 5000 chairs will be placed on the terraces below the grandstand area which will have a fine view and a closer look at the play in progress.

This fine gesture by the Chairman SLC will give the crowds a fine opportunity to witness the Caribbean cricketers with Chris Gayke in action.

Somachandra de Silva said that a decision was taken not to charge a gate to allow the crowds an opportunity to witness this first match at the Pallekelle Cricket Stadium with their families and friends and also to see for themselves the facilities available at this stadium which has been a gift to the people of Kandy which have produced top cricketers and many schools are playing cricket in Kandy.

He said that this going to be one of the best cricket ground in the world with a fantastic scenic beauty and adding to this will be that it is in the intermediate zone having lesser rainfall than the hill capital.

He said once the word spreads around people will flock to witness future matches. This is a world class stadium.

The first cricket test match will be graced by the Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake and the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage amongst other highly placed officials.

It must be recalled that the turf wicket at the Pallekelle cricket stadium was christened earlier this year Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake taking batting turns to the bowling of Chairman SLC D S de Silva and also former Sri Lanka Captain Aravinda de Silva.

Pallekelle Cricket Stadium could be reached by taking the Kandy-Digana road via Kundasale and will have to proceed up to the Board of Investments at Pallekelle and adjacent to this is the grounds.

Those travelling by public transport could taken any bus proceeding from Kandy towards Digana and get off at BOI Pallekelle and it is only about 400 yards from this point. It could walked plenty of public transport is available during day time.