Situated in the dry zone, the original rationale behind the project was that it provided Sri Lanka with the potential to host one-day matches throughout the year.

After construction and the inaugural match it sat idle due to complications with the lease and the contractors.

International cricket finally returned in May 2003, the venue staging all seven matches of the tournament because of monsoon rains in the south.

Seamers benefit in the morning because of the high water table and heavy sweating.

[3] This match was the final ODI for Sri Lankan great Tillakaratne Dilshan.