SLC to review security situation for IPL

In the wake of an unprecedented terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore, the island country's cricket board has made it clear that it will review security situation in their neighbouring country before their players head to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

D S De Silva, new chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, today said the board will talk to the India-bound cricketers to take stock of the security situation during the tournament.

"We will be discussing all these matters. We will be talking to our players to elicit their views on the security situation in India for the IPL matches," De Silva said.

The Lankan cricketers who have been signed up by the different IPL franchises include skipper Mahela Jayawardene, left-arm pacer Chaminda Vass, spinners Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara.

Fate of the Twenty20 tournament is hanging on balance as the Indian government has refused to provide security during the Lok Sabha election period, with which dates of the IPL matches are clashing.

The IPL organisers are trying hard to persuade the Home Ministry not to delay the tournament and have provided an alternative fixture. Nishantha Ranatunga, newly appointed SLC secretary, who is also the brother of sacked chairman Arjuna Ranatunga, said: "We will have to look at the security aspects as they are under contract and are associated with the Sri Lanka Cricket."

"The SLC has also decided to precede any overseas national cricket tour with a visit of the manager or any senior official to get a first-hand report of the security arrangements in the foreign country," De Silva said.

"The SLC was also considering sending security personnel during the away tours," he added.