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High level security for Lankans
By Marlon Fernandopulle
The Sri Lanka Cricket team which left the island on Saturday for a month long tour of Pakistan have been assured of a high level of security equivalent to that given to a head of state following the continuous threat of terrorism that has gripped Pakistan in the recent past.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President, Mohan de Silva said," We have written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the security and requested to provide us with the highest security. PCB Chairman Shariya Khan has assured us that security will be on the same lines of the recent Indian tour".

Manager Brendon Kuruppu also expressed satisfaction and no concern over the security arrangements that have been made for the one day triangular tournament involving Zimbabwe and the two test tour." We have been assured of security equivalent to a head of state by the PCB and that is very encouraging", said Kuruppu.

Amongst the many venues that Sri Lanka will be playing will be the state of Karachi, which has been the target for terrorist attacks. Sri Lanka will begin their tour with a one dayer in Karachi and later return to the same venue for the second test match. The last time a test was played in Karachi was when Pakistan played New Zealand. On that occasion the test match was called off following a bomb explosion outside the Sheraton Hotel where the Kiwis were staying. According to Manager Brendon Kuruppu the Sri Lanka cricket team will also be staying at the Sheraton Hotel during their games in Karachi

Lanka to Sharjah in February
Earlier Sri Lanka’s tour to Pakistan was scheduled for February next year. However with Pakistan agreeing to tour India in February and Zimbabwe not playing any tests during their current tour of Pakistan, Sri Lanka agreed to a PCB request to tour Pakistan in October.

The rescheduling of the Pakistan tour also enables Sri Lanka to take part in a triangular tournament in Sharjah in February next year. The Organizers of the Sharjah tournament Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) are making arrangements to invite Sri Lanka, Pakistan and a third team during February next year.

West Indies, South Africa or Bangladesh is expected to be the third team for the triangular tournament. The Sharjah tournament will be of added significance this year as two former test players Champaka Ramanayake and Don Arunasiri are the likely to be the beneficiaries.

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