President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the proposed new international cricket stadium in Jaffna.

Following this, the President is also expected to participate in a public gathering scheduled to be held at the same location, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Media Division.

President Dissanayake participated in several events today (01) in Jaffna, including the inauguration and opening of multiple new development projects in the region.

Addressing the event, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that during the last Presidential and General Elections, the people of the North took a firm step by voting with the National People’s Power.

The President assured that the trust placed by the people will be safeguarded until a truly united Sri Lankan nation is built.

President Dissanayake highlighted that cricket is a sport that has carried Sri Lanka’s pride to the world.

He stressed that sport has the unique power to unite people beyond all boundaries and differences, adding that the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium will not merely be a venue for cricket, but a symbol of national unity.

The President further expressed his vision of one day seeing a Sri Lankan national cricket team representing Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim youth, cheered on by fans of every community seated together in one stadium. He described this as his dream and urged all to join in making it a reality.

The President expressed confidence that the first match at the stadium will take place before the end of this year and that within three years, the venue will be ready to host its first international cricket match. He commended and thanked Sri Lanka Cricket for taking this landmark initiative, calling it a turning point for the sport.