From Cinnamon Trees to “The Lord’s of Sri Lanka”: The Untold Story of the SSC
If you walk into the prestigious Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) today, with its manicured lawns and towering stands at Maitland Place, it is hard to imagine its humble and somewhat wild beginnings. Before it became the spiritual home of Sri Lankan cricket—often dubbed “The Lord’s of Sri Lanka”—this hallowed ground was nothing more than a sandy patch of land covered in cinnamon trees.
The story of the SSC is not just about cricket; it is the story of a nation’s sporting identity, forged in the colonial era by a group of visionaries who turned a rugged plot in Victoria Park into a theater of dreams.
The Genesis: A Sandy Start in 1900
The year was 1899. At the time, cricket clubs in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) were strictly divided along ethnic lines—the Europeans, Burghers, Malays, and Tamils all had their own clubs. The Sinhalese community, however, lacked a premier sporting organization.
This changed when a combined schools XI (featuring players from Royal, S. Thomas’, and Wesley) defeated the established Colts Cricket Club by a single run. Inspired by this victory, a group of distinguished lawyers, legislators, and businessmen gathered at the Wesley College Hall on March 29, 1899, to inaugurate the Singhalese Sports Club.
However, a club needs a home.
In 1900, the club secured a lease for a plot of land in Victoria Park (now near the National Museum in Cinnamon Gardens). The condition of the land was far from ideal for cricket. Historical records describe it as having “sandy soil and covered with cinnamon trees.”
“Much labour and expense was needed to bring the land into a good cricket ground. When leveled out, the outfield was sandy and scoring of four was difficult.” — Early Club Records
The founders didn’t shy away from the challenge. They cleared the cinnamon shrubs, leveled the sand, and by 1901, the first match was played on what would become the cradle of Sri Lankan cricket.
The Founding Fathers: Architects of a Legacy
The establishment of the SSC was driven by the elite of Ceylonese society. They were men of influence who wanted to create a space where local talent could flourish. The leadership structure in those early years set a standard of excellence that continues today.
SSC First Office Bearers (1899-1901)
| Position | Name | Background/Significance |
| First President | Sir Harry Dias | The first Ceylonese Knight and Supreme Court Judge. |
| First Hony. Secretary | H.J.V.I. Ekanayake | A key figure from Wesley College who convened the first meeting. |
| First Treasurer | Philip de Silva | Instrumental in managing the club’s early finances. |
| First Captain | O.G. de Alwis | Led the team in its formative years on the sandy outfield. |
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Sir Harry Dias was a monumental figure, lending immense credibility to the new club. Under his presidency, the club didn’t just survive the difficult conditions of Victoria Park; it thrived.
The Schoolboy Connection: A Pipeline of Talent
From its inception, the SSC positioned itself as the aspirational destination for the island’s best young cricketers. The text notes that the club “attracted the best schoolboy players from Royal, S. Thomas’, Wesley, St. Joseph’s & Trinity.“
This wasn’t an accident. The club’s founders were alumni of these prestigious institutions. This created a natural “feeder system” where the top school talents would graduate to playing for the SSC.
- The Royal-Thomian Connection: The intense rivalry between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College often dissolved in the SSC dressing room, where former rivals became teammates.
- The Trinity Influence: Players from Trinity College, Kandy, brought a different flair, adding depth to the squad.
This elitist yet meritocratic approach ensured that the SSC always fielded the strongest XI in the country, dominating domestic tournaments like the Premier Trophy (which they have won a record number of times).
The Great Migration: From Victoria Park to Maitland Place
While the Victoria Park ground holds the romantic history of cinnamon trees, the modern legacy of the SSC lies in Maitland Place.
By the mid-20th century, the club had outgrown its sandy origins. In 1952, the SSC leased 20 acres of land at Maitland Place, which had served as an aerodrome for Allied forces during World War II.
This move was pivotal. It allowed the SSC to build a stadium capable of hosting international cricket. The pavilion, opened in 1956, became an architectural icon, and the ground eventually became the headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Comparison: Old Ground vs. New Ground
| Feature | Victoria Park (1900-1952) | Maitland Place (1952-Present) |
| Primary Vegetation | Cinnamon Trees & Shrubs | Manicured Bermuda Grass |
| Soil Type | Sandy (Slow Outfield) | Clay/Turf (Spin-friendly) |
| Status | Local Club Ground | International Test Venue |
| Capacity | Negligible (Tents) | 10,000+ Spectators |
| Nickname | “Cinnamon Gardens” | “The Lord’s of Sri Lanka” |
A Venue of Records: Why SSC Matters Globally
Today, the SSC is more than just a club; it is a fortress. It hosted its first Test match in 1984 against New Zealand and has since witnessed some of the greatest moments in cricket history.
The pitch at SSC is famous for being a “batting paradise” in the first few days and a spinner’s minefield by day four and five. This characteristic has led to massive scores and tumbling records.
Historic Stats at the SSC
| Record Category | The Stat | The Players/Teams |
| Highest Test Partnership | 624 Runs | M. Jayawardene & K. Sangakkara (vs SA, 2006) |
| Highest Individual Score | 374 Runs | Mahela Jayawardene |
| Best Bowling (Innings) | 9/127 | Rangana Herath (vs Pakistan, 2014) |
| Most Test Runs at Venue | 2921 Runs | Mahela Jayawardene |
| Most Test Wickets at Venue | 166 Wickets | Muttiah Muralitharan |
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The 624-run partnership between Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara is perhaps the ground’s most famous legacy—a world record for any wicket in Test cricket that still stands today. It perfectly encapsulates the club’s ethos: dominance, class, and resilience.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Sir Harry Dias Lives On
The transition of the Singhalese Sports Club from a sandy, cinnamon-covered lot in Victoria Park to a world-class stadium is a testament to the vision of Sir Harry Dias, H.J.V.I. Ekanayake, and O.G. de Alwis.
They didn’t just lease a piece of land in 1900; they leased a future. They created a sanctuary where the “best schoolboy players” could mature into world-beaters. Every time a Sri Lankan batter drives through the covers at the SSC, or a spinner traps an opponent LBW, they are adding a new chapter to a story that began among the cinnamon trees over a century ago.
For cricket fans, the SSC is not just a stadium; it is a monument to how passion, when cultivated on the right soil, can grow into something legendary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When was the SSC founded? A: The club was founded in 1899, but it leased its first ground in Victoria Park in 1900.
Q: Who was the first President of the SSC? A: Sir Harry Dias was the first President of the club.
Q: Why is the SSC called “The Lord’s of Sri Lanka”? A: It is considered the home of cricket in Sri Lanka, similar to how Lord’s is viewed in England, hosting the cricket board’s headquarters and the most significant domestic matches.
Q: Which schools provided the most players to SSC initially? A: Royal College, S. Thomas’ College, Wesley College, St. Joseph’s College, and Trinity College.
