Bangladesh tour: Should Sri Lanka go or not?
View(s):A politically and socially volatile Bangladesh stands out conspicuously on the touring itinerary of the Sri Lankan cricket team, not least because of the Lankans’ terror-filled experience in Pakistan. So is it advisable for them to go through with the tour?
Pix by Athula Devapriya
 I don’t think Bangladesh is presently as dangerous as Pakistan was at the time. And there aren’t any reports of terrorist attacks or bomb explosions there so the security they provide should be more than adequate. N. Badage (Three-wheel driver) |
 We should not continue to take unnecessary risks just to play cricket. Our team plays enough of cricket and we see them playing enough of times throughout the year. They should not endanger themselves. Even though security is provided, anything can happen, and sometimes high-profile events like an international cricket match could be targeted. Chamila Premachandra (Parent) |
 Although there may be a small risk of danger it is also important to view the larger message we will be sending by boycotting the tour. Bangladesh is a neighbour and we have strong ties with them so it is important that we show them some support by helping them get back to business as usual rather than adding to the confusion by staying away and creating headlines. Nalin Sadeesh (Student) |
 I am not sure we should go. Even in Pakistan there were security guarantees but our players ended up getting injured. Sometimes you have to make a sensible assessment on tours, and look at the political climate of the country. It is better for the tour to be postponed and maybe the Bangladeshis could come here. Lakshitha Ranaweera (Businessman) |
 The conditions there are not good for a cricket tournament so I think it is better for us not to go. The ICC also should not organise such tours. But since they have I think we have no choice but to go. Neil Rajapakse (Cricket coach) |
 It is better for them not to test their luck. They went to Pakistan with the same confidence of their safety but in countries that are unstable situations are unpredictable and it is hard to prepare for such incidents. What if there was a riot or something like that at a match? M. Nihal (Policeman) |
 I don’t think there is a need to get overexcited about the risks. The authorities there will know that there are security concerns so they will take proper measures. Pasan Bethmage (Student) |
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