Quick answer
Welagedara Stadium is the main sports ground in Kurunegala, capital of the North Western Province, about two to three hours from Colombo on the road towards Dambulla and Anuradhapura. It hosts domestic and school cricket and other sports, below the town's granite rocks, including Elephant Rock. It is not an international venue, but it makes an easy stop on the way to the Cultural Triangle.
Key takeaways
- Welagedara is Kurunegala's main sports ground, in the North Western Province.
- It hosts domestic and school cricket rather than internationals.
- Kurunegala lies about two to three hours from Colombo.
- The town sits below granite rocks, including Elephant Rock.
- It is an easy stop on the way to Dambulla or Anuradhapura.
Kurunegala and its rocks
Kurunegala is a busy provincial capital, briefly a royal capital in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, set below a ring of granite outcrops named after animals: Elephant Rock, Tortoise Rock and others. A large white Buddha statue sits on top of Elephant Rock, visible from much of the town.
A lake lies at the foot of the rocks, and the town is a crossroads for travel between Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Puttalam. Few tourists stay, but many pass through.
For cricket lovers, Welagedara gives a reason to stop, stretch your legs and see provincial Sri Lanka at play.
- →Former royal capital: thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
- →Landmarks: Elephant Rock and its Buddha statue.
- →Crossroads: Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Anuradhapura.
The ground
Welagedara Stadium is a municipal sports ground used for cricket and other sports, with a pavilion and stands around a large field. It has been used for domestic first-class and limited-overs cricket, school matches and provincial tournaments.
The ground is the focus of cricket in the North Western Province, and local schools and clubs play there regularly. Facilities are simpler than at the international grounds, but the setting, below the rocks, is attractive.
Exact current use changes from season to season, so check locally or with Sri Lanka Cricket's domestic schedule before planning a visit around a match.
- →A municipal ground for cricket and other sports.
- →Used for domestic and school cricket.
- →Check current fixtures locally.
Watching a match
Domestic and school matches at Welagedara are usually free or very cheap to attend, and spectators are welcome. Crowds are small for domestic games but can be large for big school matches and provincial finals.
The heat in Kurunegala can be intense, as the town lies in the intermediate zone at the edge of the dry zone. Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
It is polite to ask before photographing students at school matches, and to follow any instructions from officials.
Fitting it into a trip
Kurunegala is about two to three hours from Colombo by road, depending on traffic and the route, and roughly an hour and a half to two hours from Dambulla. Many drivers take this route between Colombo or Negombo and the Cultural Triangle.
A short stop at Welagedara, a climb or drive up Elephant Rock for the view and a look at the lake make a good break on the journey. Nearby sights include the rock fortress of Yapahuwa and the Ridi Viharaya cave temple.
Lankan Stays & Trails can build a stop in Kurunegala into a drive north, with a look at the stadium if a match is on.
- →From Colombo: about two to three hours.
- →From Dambulla: about an hour and a half to two hours.
- →Nearby: Yapahuwa and Ridi Viharaya.
What else to see
Yapahuwa, a rock fortress and short-lived royal capital with a famous carved stairway, is about an hour north of Kurunegala and makes a quieter alternative to Sigiriya. Ridi Viharaya, a cave temple associated with silver mining, is also within reach.
Elephant Rock's summit, reached by road or steps, gives wide views across the town, the lake and the surrounding countryside.
The town's market and lakeside are good for a short walk and a cheap lunch of rice and curry.
- →Yapahuwa: a carved stairway and rock fortress.
- →Ridi Viharaya: a cave temple.
- →Elephant Rock: views over the town.
Why stop
Welagedara is not a major cricket ground, but it shows how the game is played across the provinces, away from Colombo and the tourist towns. For cricket lovers driving north, it is an easy and rewarding stop.
For groundhoppers, it is one of the regional grounds that complete a picture of Sri Lankan cricket.
For others, Kurunegala's rocks and lake are reason enough to pause on the journey.
Frequently asked questions
Is Welagedara Stadium an international venue?
Welagedara Stadium is used mainly for domestic first-class and limited-overs cricket, school matches and provincial tournaments rather than current internationals. For international cricket, the nearest grounds are Dambulla, about an hour and a half to two hours away, and Pallekele near Kandy.
Where is Welagedara Stadium?
Welagedara Stadium is in Kurunegala, the capital of the North Western Province, about two to three hours by road from Colombo. The town lies on the main routes towards Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Kandy, below a ring of granite rocks including Elephant Rock.
Can I watch cricket at Welagedara?
Domestic and school matches are usually free or very cheap to attend, and spectators are welcome. Check fixtures locally or with Sri Lanka Cricket's domestic schedule. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water, as Kurunegala can be very hot in the middle of the day.
What is Elephant Rock in Kurunegala?
Elephant Rock, or Ethagala, is one of the granite outcrops around Kurunegala, named for its shape. A large white Buddha statue sits on top, and the summit, reached by road or steps, gives wide views over the town, the lake and the countryside.
Is Kurunegala worth a stop?
For a short break on the drive between Colombo and the Cultural Triangle, yes. Elephant Rock, the lake and, nearby, Yapahuwa and Ridi Viharaya are worth seeing. Few tourists stay overnight, but a stop of an hour or two breaks the journey well.
How far is Kurunegala from Dambulla?
Kurunegala is roughly an hour and a half to two hours from Dambulla by road, depending on traffic. It is a common stop on drives from Colombo or Negombo to Dambulla, Sigiriya and Anuradhapura, and on routes between Kandy and the northwest coast.
What is Yapahuwa?
Yapahuwa is a rock fortress and short-lived royal capital of the thirteenth century, about an hour north of Kurunegala. It is famous for its carved stone stairway and lion figures, and it is far quieter than Sigiriya, making it a good stop for those interested in history.