In coordination with host countries:

Stringent security for ICC World Cup matches

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The security committee appointed to look into all aspects of security arrangements during the ICC World Cup Cricket matches in Sri Lanka will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to make the event a success, Major General Lawrence Fernando of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board told a media briefing at the Police Headquarters on Friday.

Security arrangements in connection with the forth-coming ICC World Cup Cricket matches are being coordinated by the security committees of the host countries - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya with the help of the three Armed Forces has thrown a top security blanket for the ICC World Cup matches here. “We are grateful to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for providing support to the police and the Security Forces to make this event a success.”

Nine ICC World Cup teams along with several international umpires and officials will arrive in Sri Lanka during this period.

"We will provide security to these officials from the time they arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), at the hotels where they stay, the venues they visit and at the cricket stadiums until they leave Sri Lanka,” the Major General said.

He said the security committee of the ICC will provide medical facilities for the players, umpires, special invitees and the spectators.

Medical facilities have been streamlined with the Ministry of Health.

The IGP and the DIG Traffic have allocated special parking venues at the stadiums where the matches will be played.

Tickets for the match at Hambantota have been already sold out, he said.

IGP Balasuriya said that several agencies such as the Police, Army, Navy and the Air Force, Special Task Force, the Presidential Security Division (PSD), The Ministerial Security Division (MSD) and the Intelligence Service were involved in the security arrangements. “We are supported by a team from Interpol and the CID to monitor international arrivals during this period.

The IGP said that no one would be allowed to enter the cricket stadiums with firearms other than security personnel. Crackers, smoke bombs, knives, sharp materials, sticks of flags, glass bottles, alcohol, banners placards, laser pointers mirrors, and posters will not be permitted under any circumstances. “We will take action against any foreigner or local who try to enter the stadiums other than the authorised entrances.”

Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ajith Jayasekera said the three cricket stadiums, the R. Premadasa Stadium, the Pallekelle Stadium and the Sooriyawewa Stadium have been prepared for the ICC World Cup matches in keeping with stringent international standards. The first match will be played at the newly constructed Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa.

He said 12 matches will be played in Sri Lanka including a quarter and a semi final. The ICC World Cup Cricket series was the third biggest sporting event after the Olympics and the World Cup Football, he said.