Colombo, Nov 05: Sri Lankan cricket officials said today that England's team has expressed concern about traveling to the tropical island nation for a coming tour, but that Sri Lanka considers the tour on despite the country's current political upheaval. "The tour is very much on from our side and we have assured the England team that there is nothing to worry," said Ray Illangakoon, the spokesman for Sri Lanka Cricket.
"I have been getting frantic calls from England asking if Sri Lanka was safe to travel. I am telling them absolutely," Illangakoon said.
The English team, currently in Bangladesh, is scheduled to arrive here on November 13 to play three tests and three one-day internationals.
Sri Lanka was plunged into a political crisis yesterday after President Chandrika Kumaratunga took control of three top ministries while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was out of the country. She has also suspended the Parliament for two weeks. Wickremesinghe hit back saying the President's moves are "aimed at plunging the country into chaos and anarchy".
Cricket is the top sport in this tropical island of 19 million people and the government has made elaborate arrangements for the tour.
"What is happening in our country right now is purely political and there is no security concern or ramification," Illangakoon said.
Sri Lanka has already named its squad for the three one-day matches and equal number of tests.
Bureau Report