A. H. T. de Soysa Albert Hildebrand Theodore de Soysa (14 March 1889 - 2 November 1959) was a
Ceylonese entrepreneur and
philanthropist. He was the second son of Solomon Peter de Soysa (1854–1906), the
Managing Director of the business concerns of cousin Sir
Charles Henry de Soysa and Dora Caroline Weerasooriya. He attended
Trinity College, Kandy and went on to become its greatest benefactor by financing several building projects including the college hall. In 1940, de Soysa initiated the development of the De Soysa Park as a venue for sports and recreation by gifting a plot of land and purchasing an additional . It was intended for
cricket, other sports and public use. It was again de Soysa that assisted the call for putting up the first stadium/pavilion in 1952. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Auxiliary Service Medal of
The Salvation Army.
Club Presidents and other benefactors The club, its presidents D. H. L. De Silva, Dr. H. I. Fernando and local MP Wimalasiri De Mel took a keen interest in developing it further. In 1979 Moratuwa received
public funds from the then Deputy Foreign Minister,
Tyronne Fernando. A stadium was built, which could accommodate approximately 16,000 spectators.
International matches The first international team to play at the ground was the West Indians in 1979. The pitch has traditionally favoured the batsmen, but it can break up and the ball then has a tendency to keep low. The first Test match at the ground was against
Australia on 8 September 1992. and the Battle of Greens, between Royal College, Panadura and St John's College, Panadura and Battle of the Raigam Salpiti Taxila Central College Horana vs Piliyandala Central College are played at the venue. ==International five-wicket hauls==