Construction activities on the planned international cricket stadium in Mandaitivu, Jaffna, have been temporarily stopped after it was found that the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had not been approved.
According to Central Environmental Authority Sri Lanka Chairman Tilak Hewawasam, instructions have been issued to suspend all ongoing work until the necessary environmental evaluation is completed and official approval is obtained. The decision was taken after authorities confirmed that environmental clearance had not been secured before construction began.
The project was initiated last year, with the foundation stone laid by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as part of plans to establish the first international cricket stadium in Northern Sri Lanka.
Mandaitivu Island, where the stadium is being built, is recognized as an environmentally sensitive region. The area includes important coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, wetlands, salt marshes, mudflats, and seagrass habitats. The project site is located close to the Mandaitivu Mangrove Reserved Forest and falls within a zone classified as highly sensitive under regional environmental guidelines.
Environmental organizations have previously warned that large-scale infrastructure projects in the area could harm fragile ecosystems and threaten biodiversity if proper safeguards are not enforced.
The proposed stadium is part of a broader initiative to develop Mandaitivu Island into a sports hub with international-level facilities. The long-term plan includes additional developments such as a swimming complex, indoor sports facilities, hotels, residential apartments, retail outlets, and entertainment venues.
The stadium construction is planned in four stages, with the initial phase focused on preparing the ground and pavilion to accommodate domestic cricket matches. Work is expected to resume once all environmental requirements are fulfilled and approval is granted by relevant authorities.
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