Cricket: SLC officially confirms Pakistan tour will go ahead 'as planned'

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued an official media communiqué confirming Sri Lanka's six-match tour to Pakistan will 'go ahead' as planned, despite security fears. 

"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that the forthcoming Sri Lanka National Team’s tour of Pakistan will go ahead as planned, following assurances given by the Government of Pakistan that it will provide maximum security arrangements for the team during their entire duration of stay in Pakistan," the SLC media release states.

"Furthermore, the Major General (Rtd.) J.R. Kulathunga, National Intelligence Head, on behalf of the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Sri Lanka confirmed that no information has been received by the Ministry of Defence through any Intelligence Agency indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka National Team or to the said tour."

"It also said, no information has been received by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pakistan, indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka National Team or to the said tour."

The Government of Pakistan in a letter sent to the SLC via the Ministry of Telecommunications, Foreign Employment and Sport of Sri Lanka has assured the followings,

[The] Government of Pakistan will ensure highest consideration of security to [the] visiting cricket team.

[The] Pakistan Army will coordinate the security arrangements.

Security protocol will be compatible to [a] Head of State.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2019, will proceed as approved at the SLC Executive Committee meetings held on August 22 and September 16.