Colombo Racecourse facts for kids
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 Colombo Racecourse Stadium
Location in Colombo District
Colombo Racecourse Stadium
Location in Sri Lanka
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| Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
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| Coordinates | 6°54′18.5″N 79°51′50.7″E / 6.905139°N 79.864083°E |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Surface | Desso GrassMaster |
| Opened | 1893 |
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| Colombo FC SLRFU FFSL |
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The Colombo Racecourse (Sinhala: කොළඹ තුරඟ තරඟ පිටිය) is a famous historical place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It's located in an area called Cinnamon Gardens. This place was first used for harness racing, which is a type of horse racing.
During World War II, the racecourse was even used as a temporary airfield for planes! Later, in 2012, it was completely changed. It became the Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex. This was a big deal because it became the first international Rugby Union ground in Sri Lanka. Now, the national rugby team plays all their home games here.
In 2014, the racecourse got a big makeover. They added bright floodlights for night games. A large part of the old grandstand was turned into a cool place with shops and restaurants. The ground also hosted the 2022 SAFF U-17 Championship, which is a football tournament for young players.
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History of the Racecourse
The Colombo Racecourse has a long and interesting history. It started as a place for horse racing and then played a secret role in a major world war.
Horse Racing Days
The racecourse officially opened for horse racing in 1893. Before that, races were held at the Colpitty Race Course. The new Colombo Racecourse was considered one of the best in Asia. It had a great design and excellent facilities.
In 1922, something special happened. A "totalisator" machine was installed here. This machine helps calculate betting odds and payouts. It was the first racecourse in the East to have one. The Colombo Turf Club, a group for horse racing fans, had its own building and club house next to the grandstand.
A Secret Airfield in World War II
In late 1941, World War II reached Asia. The British Navy moved its main base to Colombo and then to Trincomalee in Sri Lanka. A top British officer, Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton, was put in charge of Ceylon (which is what Sri Lanka was called then).
He ordered an airfield to be built quickly at the Colombo Racecourse. Don Stephen Senanayake, who later became Sri Lanka's first Prime Minister, was given the job. The airfield had one runway. The offices and living areas for the air force were set up in nearby houses. A new military hospital was also built at Royal College, Colombo.
Two squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) were based at this secret airfield. They flew Hawker Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheim bombers. During the Easter Sunday Raid, Japanese planes bombed another airfield in Sri Lanka. But they flew right over the Racecourse Airstrip without knowing it was there! This allowed the Hurricane planes from the racecourse to take off and fight the Japanese attackers.
The Royal Navy also had an air station here during the war. It was called HMS Bherunda.
The Racecourse Changes Over Time
After the war ended, the airfield was removed. The racecourse went back to being a horse racing track. However, things changed when gambling and betting were banned in Sri Lanka in 1956. This meant horse racing stopped completely in Colombo.
The government took over the Colombo Racecourse and its buildings. The large area was divided up. Parts of it went to the University of Colombo and the Department of National Archives. Other parts became sports areas for places like the Royal College Sports Complex.
The old Grandstand and the Colombo Turf Club building were not used much. Sometimes, the Sri Lanka Army used it as a temporary camp. The Sri Lanka Air Force also used the remaining grounds to land transport helicopters.
The Modern Sports Complex
In 2011, the Urban Development Authority started to fix up the old Grandstand and the Colombo Turf Club building. Engineers from the 6th Engineer Services Regiment helped with the renovation.
The rest of the grounds were turned into Sri Lanka's first international-level Rugby Union stadium. Today, it's a modern sports complex where many important games are played.
