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Under-19 World Cup on schedule

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka today said the Under-19 World Cup cricket tournament, scheduled to get under way in Colombo on Sunday, will go ahead as planned despite curfews in the capital and reports of more suicide bombing attempts.

"The BCCSL is pleased to confirm that the Under-19 World Cup will go ahead as planned,'' a statement from the board office said.

However, in view of the curfew, it announced that all the practise matches will be cancelled.

Sixteen countries which includes the nine-Test playing nations are taking part in the 54-match 18-day tournament. Twelve of them have already arrived in Colombo.

The curfew was imposed to allow police and soldiers to conduct a house-to-house search for suspected Tamil Tiger guerrillas following Wednesday's suicide bombing outside Prime Minister's office which claimed 13 lives.

International Cricket Council (ICC) development manager Ross Turner expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.

"It is regrettable that these incidents had to take place, but the tournament will proceed based on the element of risk taken into consideration in holding a major tournament," said Turner.

"There has been some concern on safety. But no one can guarantee safety. In any event there is an element of risk. Steps should be taken to ensure that no individual is put at risk," he said.

"I have been assured by the organisers that high priority will be given for the safety of every participant," he added.