KEY POINTS
- Military commandos will provide security to all teams, with extra focus on India-Pakistan match.
- Sri Lanka upgraded its stadium infrastructure for tournament.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka will deploy elite commando units to provide security for all teams during next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with enhanced measures for the high-profile group match between India and Pakistan scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
As a co-host with India, Sri Lanka will stage 20 tournament matches between February 7 and March 8.
The high-stakes India-Pakistan group stage match is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
The security plan reflects the heightened tensions between the two nations, which engaged in a brief military conflict last year.
Sri Lankan Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage stated the government has given the ‘highest priority’ to the tournament’s smooth operation and is paying ‘special attention’ to fixtures involving India and Pakistan.
Security officials detailed that specialised units typically reserved for protecting visiting heads of state will provide round-the-clock armed escorts to all squads.
“From the time they step out of the airport till they return to their aircraft, they will be protected by armed guards,” a senior official involved in the planning stated.
Neutral venue for high-profile clash
The International Cricket Council (ICC) assigned the India-Pakistan match to Sri Lanka as part of a neutral-venue model, a practice followed in recent years due to the teams’ refusal to travel to each other’s countries for bilateral series.
Pakistan has previously indicated a potential boycott in solidarity with Bangladesh, though a final decision is pending.
Amid the regional disputes, Sri Lankan cricket officials emphasised a stance of neutrality. Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake stated Colombo wishes to avoid entanglement in the disagreements between neighbouring nations, whom it considers friends.
He added, however, that Sri Lanka is prepared to host future tournaments for any of the countries if requested.
Infrastructure upgrades complete
In preparation for the global event, Sri Lanka has undertaken significant venue upgrades, including the installation of new floodlights at Colombo’s Singhalese Sports Club.
The Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, which was unaffected by a severe cyclone in November, is ready and will host a T20 International between Sri Lanka and England starting Friday as a precursor to the World Cup.
