Sri Lanka confirms newest venue

COLOMBO, JULY 10. Sri Lanka's cricket authorities finally ended a dispute over the fate of the country's newest international venue by confirming three One-day matches there this month.

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka said in a statement that three One-day internationals in the triangular tournament involving India and New Zealand would be played at the months-old Dambulla Stadium.

The One-day international series begins on July 18 and ends on August 5 with the final played in Colombo. Three matches are scheduled in Dambulla.

The future of the venue remained in limbo following a row last month between the Buddhist clergy and the cricket board over playing the tri-nation tournament there.

The cricket board had been in two minds after issuing a statement last month that no matches would be played at the Dambulla Stadium until a dispute over its ownership was settled.

The Dambulla Stadium built in a record 150 days and at a cost of over $3.3 million was the venue for the first One-day international between Sri Lanka and England on March 25.

The stadium was built on land owned by a Buddhist temple. Monks maintained that they leased the property to the then cricket board which has since been sacked by Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella.

Kiriella has accused the previous cricket board management of financial irregularities. The construction of the Dambulla Stadium is also the subject of a probe.

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Section  : Sport
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