Sri Lanka launched an unprecedented security operation forcricket's World Twenty20 tournament with the players also under intensesurveillance over match-fixing fears. Bodyguards from the Ministerial SecurityDivision (MSD) and commandos of the elite Special Task Force have been deployedto guard players in a drill usually reserved for visiting heads of state,officials said.
Camillus Abeygunawardena, the top security officer for thetournament said it was the biggest security operation ever in Sri Lanka for asporting event in the country emerging from nearly four decades of ethnicbloodshed. "We had this level of security at last year's (cricket) WorldCup, but this time we have more teams and the scale of the operation is a lotbigger" said Abeygunawardena.
The authorities have also unveiled an undercover operationto ensure there was no corruption by players themselves after internationalcricket was rocked by match-fixing revelations last year. "Both local andinternational detectives have checked into hotels where the players arestaying," a top security source who declined to be named said. "Weare keeping a close watch on the players and their visitors."
Armed security was already deployed at team hotels wherefloors occupied by players have been declared out of bounds for other hotelguests. Sri Lanka co-hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup, but Australia and WestIndies kept away after Tamil rebels bombed the Central Bank in Colombo, killing91 people and wounding 1,200 just two weeks before the tournament.
Abeygunawardena said they were not taking chances and tightsecurity would be maintained throughout the tournament and until every playerhad left the island safely. "Matches like the ones between India andPakistan would attract more crowds and naturally we will have more security forthose games," he said.
Tournament organisers took out newspaper advertisements towarn fans not to bring into match venues any firearms, fireworks, alcohol orthings that could be used as projectiles. Laser pointers, mirrors, air horns,bottles, tumblers and soda cans were also banned. Among the other prohibiteditems were "metal rods, bamboo clubs and other types of poles."
