Sri Lanka seem on a collision course with India; with the latest being that the Sri Lankan cricketers contracted to play the IPL to commence on 3rd April, being excluded from games to be played in Chennai.
Further Nuwan Kulasekara and Akila Danayajaya contracted to play for Chennai Super Kings have been unceremoniously dropped by the franchise in order to pander to Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha and a violently inclined Chennai with Tamil Nadu taking to targeting and attacking Sri Lankans, pilgrims and Buddhist priests.
Jayalalitha writing to the Indian government has stated that under the heated circumstances it is not advisable for the Sri Lankan players to be present in Chennai. It also conveys a strong insinuation that it will not be tolerated by Tamil Nadu.
Even though a talk of moving all IPL games scheduled in Chennai was brought up, Chennai Super Kings opted to drop the two players rather than concede home advantage.
South India and the North of Sri Lanka have ties that date back in history with trade and other connections including cricket playing a major part in both countries. With India voting for the US based resolution against Sri Lanka in Geneva recently, they thoroughly offended its little neighbor who believed India to be a friend. India’s continued bullying of Sri Lanka has now thoroughly seeped in to the Cricket as well. The Indian government seems helpless to subdue Jayalalitha and co’s screams for revenge.
The Sri Lankan cricketers who are held in high esteem in India have clearly been insulted and a boycott by all Sri Lankan cricketers contracted for IPL is the call of the rest of the countrymen. The so- lucrative IPL is not a venture anyone will turn down in a hurry and it is expected that the rest of the Sri Lankan players namely Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Sachithra Senanaykae, Ajantha Mendis, Kushal Perera, Thisara Perera and Muttiah Muralidaran will continue to represent the other franchises of the IPL.
Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement with regard to the prevailing situation in India;
“Sri Lanka Cricket has written to the President and to the Secretary of Board of Control of Cricket in India and received assurances that the BCCI will take all necessary steps to ensure that the players feel safe and action will be taken to ensure that the players’ safety is paramount. BCCI also stated that they are monitoring the situation closely and will take necessary action as and when required, to request teams not to bring Sri Lankan players to Tamil Nadu if the situation escalates. Further Sri Lanka Cricket has written to the Ministry of External Affairs through the Ministry of Sports seeking advice on the prevailing situation.
