With less than 125 days for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) World Cup Organizing Committee launched their official promotional campaign during a ceremony held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota today.
The ground situated in Sooriyawewa will host the opening two matches of the World Cup with Sri Lanka taking on Canada on February 20 and followed by the clash between Kenya and Pakistan on February 23 at the same venue. The reservation of tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup also took place at this venue under the patronage of Sports Minster C. B. Ratnayake, Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister Dilan Perera, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, Thilanga Sumathipala and Sanath Jayasuriya.
Earlier the proceedings commenced with a tree planting ceremony while symbolizing the heralding an era of hope, anticipation and excitement as the tournament draws near.
The tree planting ceremony was jointly organized by Sri Lanka Cricket and the Ministry of Sports with regard to the ‘Clean and Green’ campaign. The clean and green initiative will be introduced for this event and hope to educate and involve cricket lovers as they hope to ensure minimum pollution, waste and maximum recycling across all three venues and host cities.
Sri Lanka Cricket is to embark on a series of island wide activations to maximize the fan experience. There will be a ‘Cheerathon’ campaign to a nationwide trophy tour complimented by live musical extravaganzas and the World Cup Glory Express – an around the island activity involving celebrities cricketers and members of the public.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will bring the best of the international game to Sri Lanka providing the cricket crazy island
with a memorable spectacle as the greats of the game battle it out for the Cup that counts.
Tickets for the 12 games in Sri Lanka which will take place between February 20 and March 29, 2011 will go on sale from October 31, 2010. The reservations could be made in Kandy at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium, and in Hambantota at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. In Colombo fans can ensure their places via the official ICC Cricket
World Cup Secretariat at the Sri Lanka Cricket Headquarters in Maitland Place. Tickets could also be purchased online via
The Sooriyawewa ground will be Sri Lanka’s third floodlit International Cricket Stadium when the West Indies play the hosts in the first one day international on December 9 with the second one day international also scheduled for the same venue on December 11.