Sri Lanka Cricket announces free public entry for two-Test India series in Galle and Colombo

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced free public admission for the forthcoming two-match Test series against India, with the opening match set for August 15–19 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium and the second Test scheduled for August 23–27 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds in Colombo; the series forms part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–2027 cycle.

The board has assigned specific access points for spectators: Gate No. 4 will be used for entry to the Galle Test, while Gates 3, 4, 5 and 7 will be open at the SSC in Colombo. SLC framed the initiative as an effort to attract full stands, encourage young aspiring cricketers, and bring families to experience Test cricket, saying it will forgo gate fees amid concerns about ticketed attendances in the subcontinent and the desire for a lively atmosphere featuring traditional papare music.

The two venues are listed by SLC as the picturesque Galle International Cricket Stadium for the series opener and the historic Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds in the capital for the second and final Test.

India’s tour began with the opening day of a three-day warm-up fixture against a Sri Lanka XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) Ground in Colombo on Friday. KL Rahul led the Indian side in the match after regular skipper Shubman Gill missed the game because of a minor right ring finger injury.

Sri Lanka XI, electing to bat first, reached 363/8 at stumps on Day 1. Nishan Madushka scored 66 and Ravindu Rasantha 71, with home captain Sonal Dinusha also recording a half-century; India’s spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar picked up two wickets apiece during the post-lunch sessions to restrict the hosts’ scoring.

The next confirmed fixture on the schedule is the opening Test at Galle from August 15–19, which will follow the completion of the warm-up match in Colombo.