Construction on the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium has been temporarily halted due to the absence of an approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
The stadium, which broke ground in September 2025, is located on Mandaitivu Island in Jaffna, a region known for its ecological significance. The foundation stone was laid by Sri Lanka's president Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a high-profile ceremony, with initial hopes to hold the first international match within three years.
However, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman, Professor Tilak Hewawasam, confirmed that instructions were issued to halt construction until the necessary EIA report is obtained. He explained that work was suspended after it was revealed that the environmental clearance had not been secured for the project.
Prof. Hewawasam clarified that the CEA has now granted approval to conduct the EIA, with the report required to be completed and submitted within the next two years. Once the assessment is reviewed and any potential environmental issues are resolved, formal approval for the continuation of construction will be granted.
Mandaitivu Island, where the stadium is being constructed, is an ecologically sensitive area that includes salt marshes, mudflats, mangroves, seagrass beds, and coastal wetlands. Environmental groups have long raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of large-scale construction on the fragile coastal ecosystems and the region's biodiversity. The proposed stadium is located near the Mandaitivu Mangrove Reserved Forest, an area classified as highly sensitive under regional planning frameworks.
The broader vision for the Mandaitivu development includes transforming the area into a sports city with international-grade facilities, including a swimming complex, an indoor sports arena, hotels, apartments, and entertainment centres. However, the stadium's development has raised concerns that it could damage the local environment and disrupt the livelihoods of those dependent on these ecosystems.
Despite these concerns, the project continues to move forward under the patronage of the government, with Dissanayake reiterating his commitment to the project. According to Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the government has not decided to halt the construction but is coordinating the project with all relevant ministries, including addressing environmental concerns.
“We will continue the construction of the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium. As you all know, there are compulsory reports to be obtained when initiating any construction work, such as the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and feasibility reports,” Dr. Jayatissa explained at a recent Cabinet briefing. “Other than that, no decision has been taken to stop the project.”
Responding to concerns over the environmental sensitivity of the area, Dr. Jayatissa assured that the government would pay due attention to the issue and that the relevant institutions would act accordingly.
The stadium is planned to be built in four phases, with the first phase focusing on the preparation of the ground and pavilion to host domestic matches. The government has expressed its intention to complete the project as soon as possible, despite the environmental hurdles.
The government's insistence on advancing the Mandaitivu project has amplified concerns that Tamil land, environment, and civilian spaces are once again being sacrificed for highly politicised development projects, backed by Colombo and international partners, with little regard for long-term sustainability or the rights of local Tamils.
