COLOMBO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Central Environmental Authority has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of the proposed Jaffna International Cricket Stadium on Mandaitivu Island, citing the absence of a required environmental assessment report.
In a written directive, Tilak Hewawasam, director general of the authority, instructed that all construction work be suspended. The order follows findings that the project had begun without securing the mandatory environmental clearance.
Work on the stadium commenced on Sept. 1, 2025. It is designed to accommodate nearly 40,000 spectators, and is expected to become Sri Lanka's fifth international-standard day-night stadium and the seventh facility capable of hosting international matches upon completion.
The proposed project site is located near the Mandaitivu Mangrove Reserved Forest and within an area determined as highly ecologically sensitive. Environmental groups have previously raised concerns that large-scale construction in the area could disrupt fragile coastal ecosystems and affect biodiversity if adequate safeguards are not implemented. ■