The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC) is one of the most famous cricket grounds in Sri Lanka. Formerly known as Maitland Place, the Sinhalese Sports Club is the headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket, the controlling body of cricket in Sri Lanka. The ground is sometimes described as 'the Lord’s of Sri Lanka'. The establishment of this ground dates back to 1952, but the first cricket match was only played in the year 1974. The SSC boasts of a capacity to fill as many as 10,000 spectators and most of the seating area is covered by grass.

The ground Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) staged its first One Day International played against team England in 1982. The first test at this venue played in 1984 against touring team New Zealand. Sri Lanka recorded their first ever ODI win, here, against a Test-playing country during the Asia Cup 1986, when they defeated Pakistan by five wickets. The ground has been a happy hunting ground for Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas (a one-day world record 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe and 14 for 191 against the West Indies in a Test).

The SSC has been lucky for Sri Lankan bowlers Chaminda Vaas and spin legend Muttiah Muralidaran, who have achieved world records at this ground. Also, the ground has been witness to a world record of the highest partnership for any wicket in Tests, 624 runs against South Africa – shared by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena.

The pitch here is more suited to batting than most others in the country. But still, it generally offers fast bowlers plenty of movement on the first morning of a Test before the spinners gain rapid turn on later day.