No ‘band-choon’ at WC grounds

18 February 2011 11:40 am - 39 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The police today announced that banners, placards, musical instruments, glass bottles, fire crackers, laser lights, sharp instruments, knives, professional cameras and alcohol are prohibited in World Cup venues.
Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya announced this at a press conference held in Colombo today. He also said that a special traffic plan will be implemented during the tournament, but said that the police will close roads leading to the World Cup playing venues from time to time.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya said that the police with the assistance of the three armed forces will implement a combine security plan during the twelve matches scheduled to be played in the country.

The police, the Army, Navy, Air Force, STF, PSD and MSD will provide security to the players, local and foreign spectators, VVIP’s and cricket officials. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Interpol will also assist in security measures that are set to be implemented, he said.

“We want to have an incident free tournament. Steps have been taken to prevent any unnecessary incident. Medical assistance will be provided by the Health Ministry together with other healthcare agencies”, he added.

“The security for the cricketers will be provided by the police with the STF from the arrival to the country, during matches, while at hotels and other gatherings and till they leave the country”, IGP Balasuriya said.

CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Ajith Jayasekara said that the first match will be played on Sunday at the Sooriyawewa Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium when Sri Lanka takes on Canada. All the tickets for the match have already being sold.

“It is the third biggest sporting event in the world and all attention has being coming to the region. Over the past one and a half years the three stadiums were built and were equipped with all the modern facilities. Five out of the six matches played by Sri Lanka will be played at home”, he added.

“Twelve matches including a quarter final match and a semi final match will be played in the country”, he said.

"Tickets will be sold a week before the match and only the Rs.50 tickets are available for the general public now. For the Sri Lanka-Pakistan match scheduled to be played on February 26, around 9500 Rs.50 tickets will be sold tomorrow at the B.D Sirisena ground in Maligawatta", SLC Security Chief Major General Lawrence Fernando said. (Supun Dias)

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Comments - 39

DX Saturday, 19 February 2011 03:30 AM

opps vry bad....

Royalist Friday, 18 February 2011 01:03 PM

Good... Let's chant pirith to support our team now... Police has already started playing for the other side...

Inzemam Saturday, 19 February 2011 01:20 AM

Had I known about this I would not have bought a ticket and
insisted that my friends too did the same. What is the fun in watching our boys play if we couldn't wave a flag/banner, did a baila, drank a coke or take pictures. TV would have been a better option, irritating repeat adds and all, cheaper too!!!!!
So all the pomp and ceremony for this? What a shame.

citizen1 Saturday, 19 February 2011 01:33 AM

But not even professional cameras are allowed.... only perhaps derana.

citizen1 Saturday, 19 February 2011 01:35 AM

These people really know how to take the enjoyment out of the game!! What a dead boring plan!!

citizen1 Saturday, 19 February 2011 01:47 AM

...a sombre, dreary and uptight atmosphere will prevail. How uninspiring for all...including the players.

Nihal Amarasekera Saturday, 19 February 2011 02:22 AM

This is pure nuts.

Chamalka Saturday, 19 February 2011 03:12 AM

r they going 2 ban shorts too????

Yahan Saturday, 19 February 2011 03:25 AM

NOT Competitent + Lazy to cheak the instruments

DX Saturday, 19 February 2011 03:20 AM

crazy no.... theres no fun without ''PAPARE"... its always entertain d crowd... stupid rules...

Kasun Friday, 18 February 2011 01:00 PM

Is this a match or funeral? Should we come on white too?
Simply this is called non-sense.

Nihal Saturday, 19 February 2011 05:38 AM

Something wrong with these MAHINDAS!

kishendra Saturday, 19 February 2011 05:39 AM

Cricket without papare is like No Lion on the Sri Lanka flag!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eresh S kumara Saturday, 19 February 2011 05:45 AM

Badly disappointed.Whats wrong with IGP.

w.g.l Saturday, 19 February 2011 06:01 AM

alcohol has to stop, this must thoroughly do it ,other thins of course must consider again and give them to enjoy thank you IGP

ravi .s Saturday, 19 February 2011 09:04 AM

We are not in England , Here , right here in Sri Lanka
No band Choon is like Galle Face without lights.

bop Saturday, 19 February 2011 10:33 AM

Rather than providing appropriate security and safety to players and spectators who come to watch a game for mere entertainment, he's banning every aspect of entertaiment in a cricket match. I thought the ministry of tourism is promoting the visitors and how could they have fun, if the rules are so stupid as these? Police chief is being very selfist cos he wants an easy life during WC. He should know that people try to break rules when stupid rules like this apply.

Hipo Saturday, 19 February 2011 04:58 PM

No Papare? That's gonna be boring.. Whats with no cameras? That's stupid...

Karuna Amman Sunday, 20 February 2011 03:26 AM

Ha ha... Cricket match with No Papare... Like a Wedding without a Bride

AusMan Sunday, 20 February 2011 05:46 AM

They have taken away the best thing about watching cricket in Sri Lanka. So unique and so entertaining. I can understand the ban on bottles, fire crackers.. bit banning the bands!!!! is this a directive from the Government or a stupid decision by the law enforcement office? Hello Sri Lankans, can you not challenge, ask this stupid people how this entertainment be a threat to security?

Dilan Friday, 18 February 2011 12:31 PM

This is sad...

Loki Friday, 18 February 2011 11:59 AM

professional cameras?Anyway if there is a will there will be always a way

Konde bendapu china Friday, 18 February 2011 12:00 PM

Papara Band is Lankan style what a miss

Pesimist Friday, 18 February 2011 11:57 AM

A cricket match venue is becoming more of a high security zone. Is ICC sure that this is the way forward? With out spectators who will the players play for? For cameras I suppose!!

amdon Friday, 18 February 2011 12:05 PM

Aiyo.! Circket with no 'papare' in Sri Lanka? C'com.! staying home or going to a pub & watching the games will be more fun.

Abdul Friday, 18 February 2011 12:22 PM

They are basically asking to come and sleep or watch it on tv, even foreigners will miss our bands. what a shame!!! the same restrictions that helped to make 2007 WC a failure. The ICC needs to address the matter culturally.

Rosh Friday, 18 February 2011 12:27 PM

Pissu hondama eka. This would sounds and feels like typical funeral palace where we can be so quiet n respect the dead one. Cant we ask the interim commitie to provide a coffin and a dead body also???

josh Friday, 18 February 2011 12:29 PM

WTH?? wats the fun in watching a cricket match without papare, banners and placards?? other stuff is acceptable.. but those 3?? god.. its gonna be one set of boring matches!!

g Friday, 18 February 2011 12:36 PM

home advantage, now this? what are these people thinking. the ICC wants this to be entertaining. Banners, placards musical instruments,,, ? what a sterile Sri Lanka..

Can we have a reason why ?

Papara Band Friday, 18 February 2011 12:35 PM

do we have to ware white dress too?

Shanil Friday, 18 February 2011 11:50 AM

No musical instruments! What a rip! Taking the personality and entertainment out of our support :(

KG Friday, 18 February 2011 12:38 PM

Talk about a lackluster start to the world cup!

Oyage sudu kella Friday, 18 February 2011 12:34 PM

Aiyo..... very disappointed that no musical instruments this time ! Now I have changed my mind - I am going to India to watch the World Cup matches.

Tikiri Liya Friday, 18 February 2011 12:41 PM

Maara boring.... Don't want to even watch the matches live telecast.

Rasika Friday, 18 February 2011 12:44 PM

WAT???? No Bannds!!! No banner!!!That's the SL identity in cricket grounds!!!!! Wazt wrong with these police ppl!!!! this is ridiculous!!!

Bakamoona Friday, 18 February 2011 12:44 PM

No not white. Better all protest by wearing black and going to see these matches.

zorro Friday, 18 February 2011 12:49 PM

haven't this fellows watch the last FIFA world cup events in Germany and South Africa? The banned items are part of the fun. If we are not capable of organizing a World Cup please let the others do it.

Gunaya Friday, 18 February 2011 12:53 PM

ALL OF YOU COME TO GALLE FACE WITH YOUR PAPARA BANDS. WE WILL ENJOY THERE.

Cricket Pissa Friday, 18 February 2011 12:57 PM

Pissu hadena sanda !!

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No ‘band-choon’ at WC grounds

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