Police fire teargas at Dambulla protestors

Police today fired teargas to disperse a group of protestors outside the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium who were blocking the main road, the Ada Derana Correspondent confirmed.

The group of Sri Lankan cricket supporters had engaged in a protest outside the stadium, with some causing damage to hoardings and hooting, demanding that they be allowed to watch the ongoing 4th ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia. 

The incident comes just days after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued an apology for inadequate crowd control measures during their third One-Day International against Australia in Dambulla.

Australia won a close contest by two wickets at the Rangiri Stadium on Sunday to pull ahead 2-1 in the five-match series. 

Over-enthusiastic cricket fans climbed trees, walls and scaffolding to get a glimpse of the match and, according to SLC’s estimates, around 45,000 people thronged the venue which has a capacity of only 18,000.

Part of the overzealousness is believed to be the fact that it was the first day-night One-Day International at the venue in six years
 
“Sri Lanka Cricket sincerely wishes to announce that it regrets the inconvenience caused to the ticket holders and cricket fans who could not get to their allocated seats at yesterday’s 3rd ODI match played in Dambulla,” SLC said in a statement.

“Having the capacity of accommodating 18,000 spectators, over 45,000 cricket fans attended the match as per the SLC security estimates. Therefore, the security staff and the ushering teams lost the crowd control systems which was in place to assist the spectators as usual.”

“Due to the above situation, contingency measures were taken to protect the playing area and the two teams, which was considered as a priority for the continuation of the game,” it added.

“SLC wishes to state that it will take adequate measures to ensure that proper security and ushering will be in place for the upcoming matches and apologise once again for the inconvenience caused to our fans.”