Quick answer
The Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa, about 20 km south of central Colombo, hosted a handful of Tests in the early 1990s, including one against Australia in 1992, along with some one-day internationals. Named after a local politician, it is now used mainly for domestic and school cricket. It is an easy stop on the coast road from Colombo to Galle, and Moratuwa's schools have a strong cricket tradition.
Key takeaways
- The stadium is in Moratuwa, about 20 km south of central Colombo.
- It hosted a handful of Tests in the early 1990s, including against Australia in 1992.
- It is named after Tyronne Fernando, a politician from the area.
- Today it hosts mainly domestic and school cricket.
- It is an easy stop on the coast road to Galle.
A Test ground for a few years
In the early 1990s, Sri Lanka was looking for more Test venues, and the stadium in Moratuwa, south of Colombo, was used for a handful of Tests and some one-day internationals. One of those Tests was against Australia in 1992, on the tour that also featured the SSC and the newly built Premadasa.
The stadium was named after Tyronne Fernando, a politician from the area who later served as a minister. Its spell as a Test venue was short, and as new grounds were developed elsewhere, international cricket moved on.
Today the ground is used mainly for domestic and school cricket, and it is one of several former Test venues covered in this series.
- →Tests: a handful in the early 1990s.
- →Including: Australia in 1992.
- →Named after: Tyronne Fernando.
Moratuwa and its cricket
Moratuwa is a busy coastal town known for its furniture makers, its university and its schools. Cricket runs deep here: the town's schools have produced many first-class and international players, and school matches draw loyal local crowds.
The town lies between the sea and the Bolgoda lake, and its roads are busy with traffic heading to and from Colombo. It is not a tourist destination in itself, but it gives a sense of ordinary life on the edge of the capital.
For cricket lovers, Moratuwa is a reminder that Sri Lankan cricket is built on school and club cricket far from the big stadiums.
- →Known for: furniture, a university and strong schools.
- →Setting: between the sea and Bolgoda lake.
- →Cricket: deep school and club roots.
The ground today
The stadium is modest, with a pavilion and stands around a well-kept field. It hosts domestic first-class and limited-overs matches, school games and occasional representative matches.
On non-match days, the ground can usually be seen from the gate, and entry is at the discretion of staff. Ask politely, and accept a refusal if training or maintenance is under way.
On domestic match days, entry is often free or cheap, subject to the ground's rules, and the atmosphere is relaxed and local.
Visiting Moratuwa
Moratuwa is about 30 to 45 minutes south of central Colombo by road, depending on traffic, and is on the coastal railway line. It is an easy stop on the way from Colombo to Galle by the coast road, or on a day out from the capital.
Combine the stadium with a look at the Bolgoda lake, the town's furniture workshops or the beaches at Mount Lavinia, a little further north.
Lankan Stays & Trails can include Moratuwa in a south-coast drive or a Colombo cricket day.
- →From Colombo: about 30 to 45 minutes.
- →On the coastal railway line.
- →Combine with Mount Lavinia or Bolgoda lake.
School cricket in Moratuwa
Moratuwa's schools are known for cricket, and their big matches are local events. Visitors in the school cricket season, roughly from the start of the year to March, may find a match on at the stadium or at a school ground.
Watching a school match is free or very cheap, and spectators are usually welcome, though it is polite to ask before taking photographs of students.
The companion pages on watching domestic cricket and on visiting schools and clubs cover the etiquette.
- →Season: roughly January to March.
- →Free or cheap.
- →Ask before photographing students.
Why visit
Tyronne Fernando Stadium is not a major sight, but for cricket lovers it adds a chapter to the story of Sri Lankan Test cricket. Together with Asgiriya and the Colombo Cricket Club ground, it is one of the island's former Test venues.
For a groundhopper ticking off every Test ground in the world, Moratuwa is an essential stop.
For other visitors, it is a pleasant pause on the road south and a glimpse of a cricket-loving town.
Frequently asked questions
Did Moratuwa host Test cricket?
Yes. The Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa hosted a handful of Tests in the early 1990s, including one against Australia in 1992, along with some one-day internationals. It is now used mainly for domestic and school cricket.
Who is the Tyronne Fernando Stadium named after?
The stadium is named after Tyronne Fernando, a politician from the Moratuwa area who later served as a government minister. Many Sri Lankan stadiums are named after political figures, including the Premadasa in Colombo and the Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium at Hambantota.
How far is Moratuwa from Colombo?
Moratuwa is about 20 km south of central Colombo, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road depending on traffic. It is also on the coastal railway line to Galle, so trains from Colombo Fort stop there.
Can I visit the Tyronne Fernando Stadium?
On non-match days, the ground can usually be seen from the gate, and entry is at the discretion of staff. On domestic match days, entry is often free or cheap. Ask politely, and accept a refusal if training or maintenance is under way.
Is Moratuwa worth visiting for cricket fans?
For cricket lovers interested in history or ticking off former Test grounds, yes. Moratuwa also has a strong school cricket culture. For other visitors, it is a pleasant short stop on the coast road between Colombo and Galle rather than a destination.
What else is there to see in Moratuwa?
Moratuwa is known for its furniture workshops, its university and the Bolgoda lake, a large freshwater lake with boat rides and lakeside hotels. Mount Lavinia's beach is a short drive north, and the coast road continues south towards Bentota and Galle.
Which other grounds have hosted Tests in Sri Lanka?
Current Test grounds are Galle, the SSC, the P Sara Oval, the Premadasa and Pallekele. Former Test grounds include Asgiriya in Kandy, the Colombo Cricket Club ground and the Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa.