(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed his displeasure over the assault by the security officers on cricket fans who came to the Sooriyaweva International Cricket Stadium to watch the second One Day International between Sri Lanka and West Indies Wednesday.
“We are sorry for yesterday’s incident. This was caused by the mess that the Cricket Board had made. It is completely wrong to treat the young fans who came to see a match at the venue after so many years this way,” the Prime Minister said.
The second ODI between Sri Lanka and West Indies was scheduled at Sooriyaweva Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium after a lapse of 5 years.
Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said he is deeply sorry for the attack.
The Minister said that such action could not be approved in a country where people love sports and respect the image of the players.
It has been reported that thousands of fans had come to watch the match unexpectedly and the authorities have opened only two gates to enter the stadium. Tense situation has erupted between the fans and the authorities resulting in the assault on some fans by the police and STF personnel providing security at the venue when attempting to control the crowd.
The Minister of Sports said that an immediate inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
