The Sri Lanka men’s team has expressed their concerns about the security situation in England as anti-immigrant riots have erupted in various cities.
Responding to the concerns, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has responded by assuring SLC about the security arrangements for the team.
Players already in England for the pre-series training have expressed their worries about the situation, as they do have security plans covering this portion of their trip. They have asked SLC to arrange for better security over the next few days, as have to travel to a ground near London.
“Most of the issues seem not to be close to where we are but everyone is still a little concerned,” said a Sri Lankan cricketer. “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.”
The majority of the Sri Lankan team has just completed the India tour of Sri Lanka 2024 and is yet to arrive in England for a three-match test series on Sunday, the ECB’s security plans kick in on Sunday. On this occasion, Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda said that he has raised concerns with the ECB after seeing news reports from Manchester – where the first Test to be played on August 21.
“I raised the issue with them, but the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements,” Halangoda said. “We’ll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well.”
With some protests have been marked with violence, there have over the last few days, been large counter-protests aimed at protecting immigrant-owned businesses, places of worship, and other places immigrants frequent.
The UK government assured sporting bodies that the country has remained safe for Sport, on an emergency call on Wednesday. Coming to the tour, Sri Lanka is set to play three tests in England which begin on August 21 in Old Trafford Stadium.
