Cricket fans clash with Police outside the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
An angry group of cricket fans who were unable to enter the Rangiri Dambulu International cricket stadium to see the 4th One Day International on the 31st instant had hurled stones and other objects at the Police officers.It is reported that the Superintendent of Police in charge of the Matale division
and 13 other Police personnel had been admitted to the Dambulla hospital for treatment of injuries sustained.The incident had occurred between 4,00 and 5.00 pm yesterday.The Superintendent of Police Matalae division IBT Sugathapala,The Officer in Charge of administration Kandy police station Chief Inspector GW Edirisinghe, and several Inspectors of Police and Sub Inspectors of Police have sustained injuries.
It is reported a\that thousands of fans who were unable to enter the grounds had blocked the Dambulla-Kurunegala main road and behaved in an unruly manner.When the Police authorities deployed had tried to calm them they had tried to damage vehicles and to public property. This was what was confessed by a Police officer.
In the previous One Day International too those who could not enter the stadium had behaved in an unruly manner.Hence for this match the police officers had been strengthened on the instructions of the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Central province Mahinda Ekanayake.
It is also reported that the Police officers who sustained serious injuries had been transfered to the Kandy general hospital.