Stringent security
measures in place for Pakistan series

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka Cricket has released an Awareness Programme for the public with regard to the stringent security measures they have taken for Pakistan’s current cricket tour of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga stated this programme was put in place on the guidelines given to them by the Defence authorities.
“We have been asked to take the maximum precautions for the tour by the intelligence personnel of the Defence Ministry. We have not been told that there is any serious threat or anything of that nature but they want precautionary measures taken following what happened at Lahore,” said Ranatunga.
In March this year the Sri Lanka team bus travelling to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the second Test was attacked by terrorists and several players and an official were injured in the ambush. Since the attack on an international cricket team, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has shifted the 2011 World Cup matches away from Pakistan and given it to the other three hosting nations India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The Awarness Programme that has been put in place reads:
A. All spectators and vehicles will be searched thoroughly;
B. All spectators are advised not to throw any kind of objects/stones/bottles etc on the playing area;
C. Whilst enjoying the cricket to behave in a proper manner without disturbing the play/players/officials;
D. Not to enter into the playing area at any time for any reason;
E. Co-operate with the security officials at all times;
F. All spectators are requested to come to the venue early.
Spectators are informed to prevent bringing the following items:
A. Any kind of arms;
B. All kinds of explosives and fire crackers;
C. All kinds of sharp materials like knives etc
D. Glass bottles or tin cans;
E. Any bulbs/bamboo/metal sticks/poles etc;
F. All types of laser pointers/mirrors;
G. All kinds of posters/banners/flags with derogatory/discriminating slogans/remarks (other than National flags of Sri Lanka and Pakistan);
H. All kinds of alcohol;
I. Bands;
J. Only plastic transparent water bottles are allowed into the venue.
Ranatunga stated that the ICC was keen that all countries should take precautionary security measures for international cricket series and SLC had fallen in line with their requirement.
“The ICC has expressed their satisfaction at the security precautions we have taken,” said Ranatunga. “We did a security assessment through our security advisor in consultation with the Defence authorities.”
Ranatunga stated this Awareness Programme would remain in place for the New Zealand tour which will follow in August-September and for the one-day tri-nation series which includes New Zealand and India in September.