Nittawela Rugby Stadium

Did you ever hear of a rugby stadium built on a landfill? Right here, before us, stands the Nittawela Rugby Stadium. It’s not just any stadium. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Kandy’s rugby legacy. The Nittawela Rugby Stadium wasn’t always the hallowed ground it is today. Originally, the Kandy Sports Club played at Bogambara Stadium. Then, during World War II, the British army commandeered Bogambara. It was later given to the General Hospital. Leaving Kandy SC without a proper home. In 1949, the Kandy Municipal Council offered them a plot of land at Nittawela. This plot, interestingly enough, was a former landfill. It took five years to prepare the site. Finally, in 1954, Nittawela Rugby Stadium officially opened, becoming the permanent home of the Kandy SC. The stadium has seen numerous upgrades over the years. In 1992, they leveled the sloping entrance and built a new pavilion. The Central Finance grandstand followed. And a pavilion was named in honor of Major General Denzil Kobbekaduwa. In 2004, they added two more stands, commemorating former players Priyantha Ekanayake and Nalaka Weerakkody. Even the media pavilion bears the name of Indrajith Bandaranaike, a former club captain. The Nittawela Rugby Stadium is more than just a sporting venue. It symbolizes the dedication and passion of Kandy’s rugby community. It’s a place where history and sport intertwine. A place built, quite literally, from the ground up.