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 |
| Tenants | |
| Colombo FC SLRFU FFSL |
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The Colombo Racecourse (Sinhala: කොළඹ තුරඟ තරඟ පිටිය) is a historic place in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was once a famous track for horse racing.
During World War II, it was used as a temporary airfield for planes. Later, in 2012, it was rebuilt and became the Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex. This complex is now Sri Lanka's first international Rugby Union ground. It hosts all the home games for the national rugby team.
In 2014, the racecourse got new floodlights. A big part of its main building, called the grandstand, was turned into shops and restaurants. The venue also hosted the 2022 SAFF U-17 Championship, which is a football tournament for young players.
Contents
History of the Colombo Racecourse
Early Days of Horse Racing
The Colombo Racecourse officially opened for horse racing in 1893. Before this, races were held at the Colpitty Race Course. The new racecourse was known as one of the best in the East for its design and facilities.
In 1922, a special machine called a totalisator was installed. This machine helped people place bets on races and calculate winnings. It was the first of its kind in the East. The Colombo Turf Club, which organized horse races, had its own building and clubhouse here.
A Secret Airfield During World War II
In late 1941, World War II reached the East. After Singapore was captured, the Royal Navy moved its main base to Colombo. An order was given to quickly build an airfield at the Colombo Racecourse. Don Stephen Senanayake, who later became Sri Lanka's first Prime Minister, was in charge of this project.
The airfield had one runway. Its headquarters and officers' mess were set up in nearby bungalows. A new military hospital was also created at Royal College, Colombo. Two squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) were based here. These included No. 258 Squadron RAF with Hawker Hurricanes and No. 11 Squadron RAF with Bristol Blenheim bombers.
During the Easter Sunday Raid by Japanese forces, the Japanese bombed another airfield but 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 used the racecourse as a naval air station during the war. It was known as Royal Naval Air Station Colombo Racecourse and later as HMS Bherunda from October 1943. This base provided training and support for various naval air squadrons.
The Royal Navy also used local garages for repairing aircraft engines and wings. They even had a school for tropical hygiene and training centers for Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) personnel. The naval air station closed down in November 1945 after the war ended.
Many different flying units of the Royal Navy were based at the Colombo Racecourse during the war. These included:
- 742 Naval Air Squadron
- 755 Naval Air Squadron
- 756 Naval Air Squadron
- 797 Naval Air Squadron
- 800 Naval Air Squadron
- 803 Naval Air Squadron
- 804 Naval Air Squadron
- 807 Naval Air Squadron
- 808 Naval Air Squadron
- 814 Naval Air Squadron
- 832 Naval Air Squadron
- 845 Naval Air Squadron
- 848 Naval Air Squadron
- 851 Naval Air Squadron
- 888 Naval Air Squadron
- 889 Naval Air Squadron
- 898 Naval Air Squadron
- 1830 Naval Air Squadron
- 1834 Naval Air Squadron
- 1836 Naval Air Squadron
- 1837 Naval Air Squadron
- 1838 Naval Air Squadron
- 1839 Naval Air Squadron
- 1841 Naval Air Squadron
- 1842 Naval Air Squadron
- 1843 Naval Air Squadron
- 1844 Naval Air Squadron
The Racecourse Changes Over Time
After World War II, the airfield was removed, and the racecourse went back to being a horse racing track. However, in 1956, gambling and betting were banned in Sri Lanka. This caused horse racing to stop completely in Colombo.
The government then took over the Colombo Racecourse and its land. Parts of the land were given to different organizations. The University of Colombo received some land, as did the Department of National Archives. Other parts went to the Royal College Sports Complex and various sports clubs.
The old Grandstand and the Colombo Turf Club building were not well-maintained for a while. They were sometimes used by the Sri Lanka Army as a temporary camp. The Sri Lanka Air Force also used the remaining grounds for landing helicopters.
The Modern Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex
In 2011, the Urban Development Authority began to renovate the Grandstand and the Colombo Turf Club building. The 6th Engineer Services Regiment and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau carried out the renovation work.
The remaining open areas were transformed into Sri Lanka's first international-standard Rugby Union grounds. Today, the Colombo Racecourse is a vibrant sports complex and a popular spot for shopping and dining.
