Bangladesh team, Nidahas series remain unaffected despite emergency in Sri Lanka

The Nidahas T20I tri-nation series involving India, Bangladesh and host Sri Lanka will remain unaffected amid unrest between the Buddhist and Muslim communities. Kandy, a city located almost 130kms from Colombo - the host city of the Nidahas tri-series, became the second city to be affected by the unrest. Initially, it was Ampara, located in the eastern province of Sri Lanka and around 325kms away from Colombo that had reported of unrest between the two communities in the country almost a week ago. Following the incidents, the Sri Lankan government Tuesday decided to declare a state of emergency in the other cities as a precautionary measure for the next 10 days.

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency after Buddhist-Muslim clash https://t.co/n6aJ3aKc2o pic.twitter.com/lnKMrdgksD

— NDTV (@ndtv) March 6, 2018

The Nidahas tri-series is scheduled to start with India taking on host Sri Lanka in the opening game Tuesday evening and the entire schedule of the tournament will remain unaffected. The Bangladesh team residing in a five-star hotel in Colombo, along with Sri Lanka, is understood to have been unaffected. When approached, none made an official comment. The concerned authority was relaxed and well informed of the situation. The security has been beefed up at the hotel and R Premadasa Cricket Stadium, the venue of the series, in order to avoid unpleasant situation.

BREAKING: Sri Lanka imposes nation-wide state of emergency to take 'stern action' following violence between Buddhist and Muslim groups https://t.co/CPSFy3TwyL pic.twitter.com/nohqsZtpx6

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 6, 2018

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva speaking to a cricket-based website informed that the tournament schedule will remain unchanged while the Indian team management issued a notice and was unmoved by the situation. "There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation in picture is Kandy and not Colombo. This is to notify everyone that after talking to concerned security personnel (ministerial security division - in charge of team security) we have understood that the situation is completely normal in Colombo. If at all there is any update on the same we shall notify," said the India team management notice. All the matches of the Nidahas tri-series will be played at R Premadas Stadium in Colombo with the final scheduled to take place on March 18.