Newly Renovated Colonel G. W. Rajapaksa Grounds Handed Over to Students - Ananda College Colombo 10

The main sports ground of Ananda College, Colombo—an institution that has contributed the highest number of cricketers to Sri Lanka’s national team—was officially handed over to students following a complete renovation, marking a significant milestone in the school’s sporting history.

For many years, the primary playground had been in an unsuitable condition for sports practices due to poor maintenance and the lack of modern development. As a result, Ananda College’s contribution to cricket, particularly in recent times, had slowed down. Recognising the urgent need to improve infrastructure to uplift all sports, the present Principal, Mr. D. M. L. P. Dissanayake, initiated several development projects, giving priority to the renovation of the main sports ground.

With the intervention of the Old Anandians’ Sports Club, a request was made to Sri Lanka Cricket, which extended its financial support for the project. The Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Air Force provided valuable labour assistance, enabling a full-scale reconstruction of the ground. As a result, the Colonel G. W. Rajapaksa Grounds has now become the only school-owned sports ground in Sri Lanka with 22 wickets, setting a national benchmark in school sports facilities.

The auspicious handover ceremony took place on 7 January 2026 at 12.30 p.m. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Mr. Anuruddha Polonnovita, who served Ananda College selflessly as its cricket coach for 38 years and produced a large number of national-level cricketers. Former Speaker of Parliament and distinguished Old Anandian Mr. Karu Jayasuriya attended as the Guest of Honour.

Among the other distinguished invitees were Mr. Bandula Dissanayake, Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket; General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd.), former Defence Secretary and President of the Old Anandians’ Sports Club; Mr. Samith Seneviratne, Executive President of the Old Boys’ Association; along with several other dignitaries.

To conclude the event, a friendly exhibition T20 cricket match was played between senior national cricketers produced by Ananda College and the Ananda College Under-19 team, adding colour and excitement to this historic occasion.