da fezbet： Security at the hotel, where the Indian and New Zealand cricketers arestaying in Colombo, has been further tightened after a group of LTTErebels attacked the Katunayake military airbase, adjoining theInternational airport in Colombo early today
24-Jul-2001Security at the hotel, where the Indian and New Zealand cricketers arestaying in Colombo, has been further tightened after a group of LTTErebels attacked the Katunayake military airbase, adjoining theInternational airport in Colombo early today.The Indian Cricket Board executive secretary, Sharad Diwadkar told PTIin Mumbai that he spoke this afternoon to the Indian team manager ANMate, who informed him that players were safe and there was nothing toworry about as the Lankan government had further tightened thesecurity arrangements.”Mate told me that the fighting had erupted about 30 to 40 kms awayfrom where the teams are staying and there was nothing to worryabout,” Diwadkar added.”In fact, Mate told me the other two Test centres at Galle and Kandy,the venues for the first two Tests respectively, were much more saferand was confident that the Indians would complete the tour without anyapprehension,” Diwadkar said.”The managers of India and New Zealand teams met the Sri LankanGovernment representatives and were assured complete security,”Diwadkar added.The Indian and New Zealand teams are scheduled to meet in the on-goingtri-angular series on july 26 while the Kiwis are playing their thirdday-night match against hosts Lanka tomorrow.In Chennai, BCCI president AC Muthaiah said there was no need for anyanxiety about the safety of the Indian players in Colombo, as he haddiscussed this aspect with the team, in the wake of the attack on amilitary airbase by the LTTE. He told PTI that he spoke to Mate andcoach John Wright besides captain Sourav Ganguly about thedevelopments there.Muthaiah said the team had their usual four hour practice session thisafternoon.