Spectators barred from rampart to watch cricket

Sri Lanka government had taken extreme measures to keep spectators completely out from the ramparts of the Galle Fort after group of protestors shouted slogans from the rampart during the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Accordingly, no spectators were seen today to watch the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Galle International Cricket stadium overlooking the historic site.

Protesters were forcibly removed from the fort ramparts late on the second day of the fist Test.

“The protesters were using banners that disturbed the batsmen’s vision, so they were asked to remove them [the banners] from the site,” an Army spokesperson had told local media. “This incident took place on Wednesday [June 29] and yesterday [June 30]. Also, people were advised not to stay in that place.”

However, an Australian team spokesperson had rejected any suggestion that the touring side’s batters were distracted by the signage on a day when they ran up a decisive 101-run first-innings lead over the hosts.

The rampart is a popular place for cricket lovers to watch cricket but with anti-government protests gathering momentum, the government has decided to bar it from public this time.

With the economic crisis deepening, anti-government protestors are planning a massive island-wide protest on Saturday demanding the resignation of the President and the Prime Minister.