Surrey ground - boon to cricketers of Kalutara

Chris DHAMBARAGE

The Surrey Cricket ground at Maggona was declared open under the patronage of the Acting Minister of Ports and Aviation Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

CEO of Surrey Cricket Club, Paul Sheldon of the U.K who initiated this concept was in attendance with Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D. S. De Silva and Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.

Paul Sheldon, Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Chairman SLC planted a tree each to commemorate the opening followed by lighting of the oil lamp.

Acting Minister of Ports and Aviation Rohitha Abeygunawardena thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa for helping him to source the land for construction of the ground whilst paying tribute to Paul Sheldon for giving SLC the much needed financial assistance to construct the venue for the benefit of the youth from the Kalutara District.

D S De Silva Chairman Sri Lanka Cricket thanked Paul Sheldon and his County for the financial assistance granted to SLC to construct this venue.

He also made mention of the facilities that are available to the youth of the Kalutara District.

He also added that Clubs and Schools must take advantage of the facilities available at Surrey Village since it is a premier venue for the Kalutara District.

Meanwhile Paul Sheldon, paid tribute to the current administration, for completing the work which began in 2006.

He was optimistic that the ground will be well maintained so that first class games could be played at this venue on a regular basis.

He also added that England is due to tour Sri Lanka in December this year, and the English team will visit this venue and he was proud of SLC's achievements.