The stadium is wholly owned by Sri Lanka Cricket and has a capacity of 35,000.

In July 2010, The Central Provincial Council in Kandy announced plans to rename the stadium to honour the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan,[3] but hasn't officially done so yet.

The first Test match on this stadium between Sri Lanka and the West Indies was played from 1 to 5 December 2010.

The first One Day International match at the venue was played between New Zealand and Pakistan on 8 March 2011.

[5][6][7] On 21 September 2011, it was announced that the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium would host nine 2012 ICC World Twenty20 matches.