[VIDEOS] Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka could be in jeopardy as protesters storm president’s residence

[Sherlock]

[VIDEOS] Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka could be in jeopardy as protesters storm president’s residence

Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka could be in jeopardy as protesters storm president’s residence office

==

Thousands of protesters in Sri Lanka have broken through police barricades and stormed the president's official residence, news reports have said.

In one of the largest anti-government marches in the country this year, the protesters are demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Thousands of people swarmed into Sri Lankan capital Colombo's government district, shouting slogans against the president and dismantling several police barricades to reach Mr Rajapaksa's house, according to the Reuters news agency.

Police fired shots in the air but were unable to stop the angry crowd from surrounding the presidential residence.

At least 21 people including two police officers have been hurt by the unrest, hospital sources said.

The president was removed from his official premises as a safety precaution, according to two defence ministry sources, as hundreds of protestors were seen packed inside the property on a Facebook livestream.

Sri Lanka, which has a population of 22 million people, is facing its worst economic crisis since 1948.

It has been struggling under a severe foreign exchange shortage that has limited essential imports of fuel, food and medicine.

Many blame the country's decline on Mr Rajapaksa, who has faced ongoing calls to resign.

Anger has intensified in recent weeks as fuel shipments dwindled, leading to petrol and diesel being rationed for essential services.

https://news.sky.com/story/sri-lank...esidents-house-and-clash-with-police-12648619

 

[Saj]

I could think of a few Boards where the players would already be on the plane.

I'm surprised Australia are still out there.

 

[MenInG]

And this happening in Galle where we play our first Test and where Aus are playing SL

==

Massive protest in front of Galle Cricket Stadium where Sri Lanka plays Australia

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 80%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/4ihn30" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[MenInG]

This is how close protests are to the SL v Aus Test

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[Major]

As long as security is not a concern this is a non issue. This is why australia didnt pull out, protest isnt agaonst australia or pakistan its against their own govt and the protestors will target them.

Pakistan can learn something... We had matches in pindi pulled out cause both the previous and current govt got scared

 

[Savak]

As long as security is not a concern this is a non issue. This is why australia didnt pull out, protest isnt agaonst australia or pakistan its against their own govt and the protestors will target them.

Pakistan can learn something... We had matches in pindi pulled out cause both the previous and current govt got scared

Pakistan is not in a position to take risks. Can't blame the PCB.

 

[Major]

Pakistan is not in a position to take risks. Can't blame the PCB.

Risks will always be there no matter what. You only need to be smart regarding your decisions.

When a pull out happens, it costs money.

 

[sweep_shot]

Don't think these protestors mean harm to cricketers. This is an anti-government protest.

But, better to be careful. You never know.

 

[MenInG]

Things back to normal for now

Eid ul Azha prayers at the team hotel today before departing for training at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.

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[MenInG]

Karachi: The current situation in Sri Lanka has caused a wave of concern among PCB officials. The PCB chairman has approached the Pakistan High Commission to ensure the safety of the visiting national cricket team.

Acting High Commissioner Tanveer Ahmed Bhatti assured Rameez Raja of playing his diplomatic role in providing foolproof security. He said that the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo was in constant touch with the Sri Lankan authorities. People love Pakistan and cricket.

The Pakistan cricket team was requested to stay at the hotel yesterday.

On the other hand, the Pakistan cricket team offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the hotel and later reached the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium under the heavy guard of the Army security squad and took part in the practice.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Board expressed gratitude for the security measures and hoped that the visit of Pakistan cricket team to Sri Lanka would be a success.

It is to be noted that due to curfew and protests in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, the Pakistan team remained locked in a hotel. The practice session at Sara Oval Ground was canceled yesterday. There is a state of uncertainty.

According to the schedule, the Pakistan cricket team will travel to the local city of Gal after the practice match. The practice will be held at the Gal International Cricket Stadium on July 14 and 15, while the first Test match between the two countries is scheduled from July 16.

 

[Sherlock]

Honestly as long as SL can assure the board of security I'm more than happy for the tour to continue.

 

[offstump]

Could be in Pakistan’s best interest to continue and complete this tour amidst the protests and chaos given the situation in Pak is always tenuous and so continuing to set a precedent is good to have in your back pocket.

 

[Rajdeep]

How can Asia Cup take place here? ACC should shift the tournament to Bangladesh...else it will get cancelled again this year.

 

[Babeikh]

Cannot see Pakistan leaving. Only way tour will be in jeopardy is if SLC themselves cancel it.

At the moment doesn't even seem like there are noises from Australia to leave. I think it be fine.

 

[sweep_shot]

How can Asia Cup take place here? ACC should shift the tournament to Bangladesh...else it will get cancelled again this year.

Don't think Asia Cup is in trouble. These protestors don't seem threatening toward cricketers.

 

[MenInG]

Reports saying Pak players confined to their hotel rooms for most parts of the day.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

They won't abort the tour especially when the Aussies haven't said anything about it and are in middle of a test match.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

It's Gallface not Galle. Gallface is in Colombo.

The protestors are peaceful. I was also in the protest. Most Srilankan love the Pakistani team. Pak is my personal fav team. Nothing will happen to them.

 

[Sherlock]

Surprised Australia haven't already cancelled the tour the gone home tbh. They're usually on the plane and heading out, but I suppose that also means their security detail has shown it isn't anything to be worried about.

 

[PakLFC]

Had such a situation occurred in Pak the touring side would have left the country by now. We saw how the New Zealand cowards left after such a minor incident when Guptill's wife received a threatening letter. It is our PR skills that are poor too.

 

[MenInG]

Cummins speaking about that protest

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pat Cummins speaks about the mass protest that swarmed the Galle ground during the second Test and how the impact of the tour has not been lost on the touring side <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/M6BrlCdpwr">pic.twitter.com/M6BrlCdpwr</a></p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1546697102893322240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

It's Gallface not Galle. Gallface is in Colombo.

The protestors are peaceful. I was also in the protest. Most Srilankan love the Pakistani team. Pak is my personal fav team. Nothing will happen to them.

Many thanks for your comments.

How does the following effect things?

==

Colombo: Crisis-hit Sri Lanka declared an indefinite nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday, hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, the prime minister's office said.

"Since the president is out of the country, an emergency has been declared to deal with the situation in the country," Dinouk Colombage, spokesman for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, told AFP.

Police said they were also imposing an indefinite curfew across the Western Province, which includes the capital Colombo, to contain growing protests after Rajapaksa flew to the Maldives in a military aircraft.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sri...es-news-agency-afp-quoting-pms-office-3152907

 

[MenInG]

PCB Media Director Samiul Hassan Burney:

"Despite the imposition of emergency in Sri Lanka, the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will go ahead as planned"

Sami added that the cricket board is in constant touch with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) while they are also discussing the situation with Pakistan High Commissioner in Sri Lanka.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan will go ahead with the two-Test series in Sri Lanka despite a state of emergency having been declared in the island country.

Already in Sri Lanka, Pakistan wrapped up a three-day tour match in Colombo against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI in the backdrop of massive protests in the country due to the escalating economic crisis.

“The series will go ahead as planned,” a PCB spokesperson told Dawn on Wednesday, with the first Test set to be played in Galle from Saturday.

“The team is set to fly to Galle on Thursday and is very happy with the arrangements made by Sri Lanka Cricket.

“We are in touch with SLC and with the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka regarding the situation.”

DAWN

 

[Varun]

Can you imagine Australia of all teams have successfully toured two countries Pakistan and Sri Lanka despite the ongoing political turmoil in both countries?

Who would thunk.

 

[adi_62941]

Imran khan was ousted when Australia toured pakistan and now srilanka president and PM left the country while in their presence. Looks a panoti side

 

[MenInG]

Speaking about the side’s time in Sri Lanka so far, Babar Azam:

"So far our experience in this country has been really good. We have gotten a lot of love from the people here. People here love and enjoy cricket and they come to the grounds to watch their heroes."

 

[MenInG]

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Many thanks for your comments.

How does the following effect things?

==

Colombo: Crisis-hit Sri Lanka declared an indefinite nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday, hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, the prime minister's office said.

"Since the president is out of the country, an emergency has been declared to deal with the situation in the country," Dinouk Colombage, spokesman for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, told AFP.

Police said they were also imposing an indefinite curfew across the Western Province, which includes the capital Colombo, to contain growing protests after Rajapaksa flew to the Maldives in a military aircraft.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sri...es-news-agency-afp-quoting-pms-office-3152907

People rallied against the government and wanted the people at helm out. They were expecting PM Ranil Wickramasinghe also to follow...but the old fox didn't budge lol. So, this is why the match was moved to Galle, out of abundance of caution.

 

[MenInG]

As the Test was in progress, there was a protest organised just a few hundred metres from the stadium in Galle against the rising cost of living and corruption.

The protests in the capital Colombo have been taking place on a larger scale and forced cricket officials to shift the second Test, originally scheduled for Colombo, to Galle with a Sunday start.

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mat...ique-prabath-jayasuriya-highlights/2022-07-20