Indian players in Lanka safe, security tightened
24 July 2001
Security at the hotel, where the Indian and New Zealand cricketers are
staying in Colombo, has been further tightened after a group of LTTE
rebels attacked the Katunayake military airbase, adjoining the
International airport in Colombo early today.
The Indian Cricket Board executive secretary, Sharad Diwadkar told PTI
in Mumbai that he spoke this afternoon to the Indian team manager AN
Mate, who informed him that players were safe and there was nothing to
worry about as the Lankan government had further tightened the
security arrangements.
"Mate told me that the fighting had erupted about 30 to 40 kms away
from where the teams are staying and there was nothing to worry
about," Diwadkar added.
"In fact, Mate told me the other two Test centres at Galle and Kandy,
the venues for the first two Tests respectively, were much more safer
and was confident that the Indians would complete the tour without any
apprehension," Diwadkar said.
"The managers of India and New Zealand teams met the Sri Lankan
Government representatives and were assured complete security,"
Diwadkar added.
The Indian and New Zealand teams are scheduled to meet in the on-going
tri-angular series on july 26 while the Kiwis are playing their third
day-night match against hosts Lanka tomorrow.
In Chennai, BCCI president AC Muthaiah said there was no need for any
anxiety about the safety of the Indian players in Colombo, as he had
discussed this aspect with the team, in the wake of the attack on a
military airbase by the LTTE. He told PTI that he spoke to Mate and
coach John Wright besides captain Sourav Ganguly about the
developments there.
Muthaiah said the team had their usual four hour practice session this
afternoon.
© PTI