The biggest stadium in Sri Lanka is Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium, which is also known as RPS. Colombo can accommodate a crowd of 35,000 and is there. It is where a lot of big cricket matches have been played, including the 2012 T20 World Cup final and the 2011 World Cup semifinal. This ground is a very special ground for Sri Lankan cricket. This ground holds amazing records, like the highest Test score ever made, 952 runs by Sri Lanka against India.
Stadium Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Ranasinghe Premadasa Cricket Stadium |
| Former Name | Khettarama Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Khettarama Road, Maligawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Established | 1986 |
| Capacity | 35,000 spectators |
| Owner | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Operator | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Ends | Khettarama End, Maligawatte End |
| First Test Match | 28 Aug – 2 Sep 1992: Sri Lanka vs Australia |
| Last Test Match | 14–18 July 2017: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe |
| First ODI Match | 5 April 1986: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand |
| Last ODI Match | 12 February 2025: Sri Lanka vs Australia |
| First T20I Match | 10 February 2009: Sri Lanka vs India |
| Last T20I Match | 18 January 2024: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe |
| First Women’s ODI (WODI) | 29 March 1999: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands |
| Last Women’s ODI (WODI) | 17–18 November 2016: Sri Lanka vs England |
| First Women’s T20I (WT20I) | 4 October 2012: England vs New Zealand |
| Last Women’s T20I (WT20I) | 26 May 2015: Sri Lanka vs West Indies |
| Famous Record | Highest Test score: 952/6 by Sri Lanka vs India |
| Nicknamed | Home of Sri Lankan Cricket |
History of the Stadium
The facility opened its doors as a world-class cricket stadium when Sri Lanka started building such facilities back in 1986. When cricket activities in Sri Lanka experienced rapid growth in that period, the nation required an outstanding stadium located within the capital.
The project received complete backing from President Ranasinghe Premadasa. The stadium received its current name after Ranasinghe Premadasa, following his death during the year 1994.
International matches now take place frequently at this stadium that has achieved status as one of the most active fields for international competitions. The stadium serves as a host facility for ICC finals and sleeves a number of World Cup games and significant domestic matches featuring the Sri Lankan national team.
Major Tournaments Hosted
Many major competitions have taken place at Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium. Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium has hosted multiple major tournaments, which include the following most significant events:
| Tournament | Match | Year |
| ICC World Twenty20 Final | Sri Lanka vs West Indies | 2012 |
| ICC Champions Trophy Final | Sri Lanka vs India (shared trophy) | 2002 |
| ICC Cricket World Cup Semi | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand | 2011 |
| Asia Cup Matches | Multiple matches | Various |
| ICC U19 World Cup Matches | Group stage games | 2000 |
Millions of worldwide fans watched these matches, which also gave Sri Lanka international recognition as a cricket nation.
Famous Records at the Stadium
RPS establishes its fame by holding various remarkable cricket records. Test cricket observers recognise RPS’s stadium as the location of the biggest team total ever achieved in history.
| Record | Details |
| Highest Test Score | 952/6 declared—Sri Lanka vs India, 1997 |
| Highest ODI Score (SL) | 368/4—Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2010 |
| Most Centuries (Test) | Mahela Jayawardene—6 centuries |
| Most Wickets (ODI) | Muttiah Muralitharan – 75 wickets |
The 952-run achievement by Sri Lanka during their innings remains among the most significant world cricket records, demonstrating how the pitch encourages batting strength.
International Matches Played at RPS
The stadium serves as a venue for all three forms of international cricket, including Tests and both ODI and T20I matches.
Test Matches
| First Test Match | 28 August–2 September 1992: SL vs Australia |
| Last Test Match | 14–18 July 2017: SL vs Zimbabwe |
| Total Test Matches | 22 |
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
| First ODI Match | 5 April 1986: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand |
| Last ODI Match | 12 February 2025: SL vs Australia |
| Total ODI Matches | 100+ |
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
| First T20I Match | 10 February 2009: SL vs India |
| Last T20I Match | 18 January 2024: SL vs Zimbabwe |
| Total T20I Matches | 20+ |
Women’s Matches at RPS
The stadium organized women’s cricket events through hosting WODIs and WT20Is in addition to its existing support of male cricket matches.
| First WODI | 29 March 1999: SL vs Netherlands |
| Last WODI | 17–18 November 2016: SL vs England |
| First WT20I | 4 October 2012: England vs New Zealand |
| Last WT20I | 26 May 2015: SL vs West Indies |
Pitch and Ground Conditions
- Typically, the pitch at RPS is good for batting, most of the time during the first part of the game. The pitch starts helping in scoring in Test matches from the third or fourth day of it.
- ODI and T20 are high-scoring grounds where most teams opt to get over 300+ runs.
- The outfield is fast and well-maintained.
- The stadium has excellent floodlights for day and night matches.
- It obviously rains at times, so sometimes play can be stopped by the rain, particularly during the monsoon season.
Infrastructure and Facilities
- The stadium is RPS (with all important facilities, this is now a modern cricket stadium).
- Fully equipped for journalists at the Media Centre.
- Large rooms with all modern facilities and dressing rooms.
- Scoreboard (or score display): Digital screen, displaying score, replays, etc.
- Floodlights: For day-night matches
- Special seating for guests is referred to as VIP Boxes.
- Public Stands: Large seating with a good view of the field
- Parking: Large area for vehicle parking
Importance of Sri Lankan Cricket
RPS is more than a cricket stadium; it is a symbol of the country’s pride. Not many Sri Lankan players have made big scores and taken important wickets here. Many of those who watched Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Muttiah Muralitharan in extraordinary domestic form at other grounds have strong records at this ground. It’s also a place where the following generation of performers can be motivated by watching global stars.
Comparison with Other Stadiums
| Stadium | City | Capacity | Famous For |
| Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium | Colombo | 35,000 | Highest Test Score |
| Galle International Stadium | Galle | 18,000 | Scenic view near the sea |
| Pallekele International Stadium | Kandy | 35,000 | Modern design and floodlights |
| R. Premadasa vs Lord’s (England) | Colombo vs London | 35,000 vs 31,000 | Higher seating than the Lords |
For instance, RPS has even more capacity than Lords in England, with its name known as the world home of cricket.
Memorable Matches at RPS
- Sri Lanka vs. India—1997 (Test Match)
- They had scored 952/6 for Sri Lanka. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340 runs.
- Sri Lanka vs West Indies—2012 (T20 Final)
- The crowd atmosphere was electric despite Sri Lanka’s loss.
- Sri Lanka vs New Zealand—2011 (World Cup Semi-final)
- Sri Lanka won World Cup Semifinal.
Conclusion
The place called the Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium is no place for playing cricket, but a stage bringing out history. RPS can rightly boast of being one of the globe’s finest cricket grounds, having such capability, the latest facilities, and closeness to Sri Lankan cricket.
Many young cricketers will continue to dream of it as a stadium where they would like to play for their country in front of cheering home fans.
FAQs
Q1. Why is the Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium located?
It is situated in Maligawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Q2. The stadium has a seating capacity of how many?
It has a capacity for accommodating up to 35,000 people.
Q3. What was the old name of this stadium?
Kettarama Cricket Stadium was earlier called.
Q4. At which stadium was this famous record made?
In 1997, Sri Lanka had amassed the highest ever Test score against India by 952/6.
Q5. Who, precisely, owns and operates the stadium?
The property belongs to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
