Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday inaugurated an eight-lane modern swimming pool, an integral part of the High Performance Centre at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The new facility was opened by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage. The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sugath Thilakaratne, and the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Anuradha Illeperuma. The newly build swimming pool is a part of the Sri Lanka Cricket’s National Cricket Development Pathway programme. it is 25 metres long and 21 metres wide with a depth of 1.2 metres to 1.8 metres meeting international standards.
SLC Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda said this swimming pool will support the Sri Lanka National team, Sri Lanka ‘A’ team as well as the national fast bowling and spin bowling squads in training. It will help players to maintain their fitness, facilitate their recovery after matches and to rehabilitate injured players. In addition the facility will also be available for international teams touring Sri Lanka.
To ensure a professional environment, the swimming pool complex is equipped with first aid facilities and other essential amenities in addition to changing rooms for both men and women. With the addition of this facility, the High Performance Centre at the R. Premadasa Stadium will also feature a fully equipped gymnasium, a floodlit training facility, a physiotherapy unit and an brain centre for performance analysis. Last year this type of modern facilities were provided to Dambulla International Stadium and foreign cricketers highly appreciated it.
The inauguration event was also attended by the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket – Ashley de Silva, Director of Sri Lanka Cricket – Jerome Jayaratne, Head Coach of the Sri Lanka National cricket team – Sanath Jayasuriya, and the Head Coach of the women’s cricket team – Rumesh Ratnayake. In addition, the captain of the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, Chamari Athapththu and the National women’s team members were also present at the event.
The second phase will include hydrotherapy facilities, an ice bath, and an indoor net training facility. All of these facilities will be part of the Sri Lanka Cricket’s ongoing programme to create an expanded training center that will meet international standards.
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