Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium and the old-world charm

When you enter the Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, the feeling is completely unique. One of the oldest grounds in Asia, P Sara has that old-world English charm. There are small stands surrounded by trees, a bar with two entrances — one for the home side, the other for the visitors. The outfield is blessed with thick blades of grass and then there are comfortable wooden chairs that most spectators cherish. The best feature, however, is the ivy-covered scoreboard.

Back in 1948, Sir Donald Bradman and his England-bound ‘Invincibles’ made a stopover in Colombo. They played against the All Ceylon side at this very venue. Over 20,000 people watched that game as it was the first time an international side had arrived in the Emerald Isle.

“We have memories of Don coming in and playing on this very ground and this only makes our history richer. In the bar, you can see a huge photograph of Don entering the field with his pads on. During those days, we had a couple of ‘groundswomen’,” said Tony Perera, chief executive, Tamil Union Cricket & Athletic Club, a domestic club which has the rights of this ground since its formation in 1899.

“P Sara has an orthodox charm to it and we wouldn’t like to disturb it by changing that style,” he added. “Even the pitches here are very sporting which supports seamers and then spinners,” he said.
It is also the home ground of Muttiah Muralitharan, a Tamilian.

Murali has captained this side in many domestic tournaments. “He is the famous son of our club. He is ours,” said Perera, while pointing towards a large potrait of Murali in the bar.

The club may have its Tamil roots but it has never stopped others from using its facilities. “We have always treated everyone with equality. Our current captain is a Sinhalese,” Perera added.