UK riots raise security concerns for Sri Lanka tour of England
The anti-immigrant riots in the United Kingdom have raised security concerns for the Sri Lankan cricket team preparing for the three-match Test series starting August 21. The players have sought better security from the Sri Lanka Board amidst the rage in various cities of the country.
Nine members of the Sri Lankan squad (seven players and two support staff) have highlighted distress over the arrangements in London amidst their preparation for the upcoming red-ball series. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have responded with reassurance of where the players were.
"Most of the issues seem not to be close to where we are but everyone is still a little concerned. "We can't really go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up. We've asked the board to try and ask for some security for us until the main team arrives, but we haven't heard anything back yet,” one of the Lankan players in London said.
Mahinda Halagonda, the Sri Lankan cricket team manager, who is in the Island nation, was first informed about the issue. He further addressed the situation to ECB to which the board quickly responded with a resolution.
"I raised the issue with them, but the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements. We'll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well,” Halangoda said.
Although there have been cases of violation in various cities, there have been larger protests to protect the immigration-owned businesses, and places of worship.
Sri Lanka will be playing three Test matches against England, which are a part of the World Test Championship 2023-25 fixture with the first game to be staged in Manchester from August 21.
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