Constructing a New Indoor Stadium in Jaffna’s Old Park Is Reckless – Aingaranesan
24-Nov-2025.
Rapid construction work has begun to set up a new indoor sports stadium in the historic Old Park in Jaffna.
Old Park—home to centuries-old trees and the only major green space of its kind in Jaffna—has already been severely damaged by poorly planned construction projects. In this situation, building a new indoor stadium will destroy what remains of the park, warned P. Aingaranesan, President of the Tamil National Green Movement.
His warning was issued in a media statement, prompted by the commencement of foundation work for the new stadium.
He further stated:
“Old Park is not only a historic landmark of Jaffna but also a vital carbon filter that absorbs and purifies the polluted air of the congested city.
However, due to short-sighted development plans lacking sustainability, Old Park has been transformed into a concrete jungle. It is already suffocating under the encroachments of the Governor’s Secretariat, the Land Survey Department, the Water Supply and Drainage Board, the Election Commission, the Basketball Federation, the Department of Archaeology, and the Jaffna District Secretariat.
Originally gifted during British times as an irreplaceable donation of 9.67 hectares, only 5.19 hectares now remain. Within this remaining section— which includes land allocated for basketball courts, volleyball courts, and parking— authorities now plan to build a 12-acre indoor stadium.
Once operational, the inflow of spectators will inevitably lead to further encroachment of surrounding areas. This destruction cannot be compensated for by the small children’s park located within the grounds.
During the period when the LTTE’s police force was stationed in Old Park, the trees were not destroyed, and no permanent structures were built. When N. Wigneswaran served as Jaffna’s Government Agent, he had firmly disallowed new construction within Old Park.
Now, during his tenure as Governor, new buildings have begun to sprout. He must immediately halt this and identify an alternative site for the indoor stadium,” Aingaranesan urged.
