Mumbai: The Sri Lankan team was shocked to receive security cover much more than what they get in their own country. Ever since the team reached Mumbai on Sunday night, special security men have been around every player and their team bus like bees.
Bullet proof terror combat vehicles, which the Mumbai police now have following the terror attack in this city in 2008, follows the team bus always. The Sri Lankan team bus entered the Wankhede Stadium with combat vehicles leading and following them, virtually shooing away anyone from near the bus.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to make sure that nothing untoward happens that may lead to the cancellation of the final in this venue.
Senior police officials revealed that a series of meetings were held before the team arrived here to ensure the Sri Lankan team does not face any attack like they encountered in Lahore on March 3. 2009.
This city was accused of not having any combat vehicles during the terror attack which led to the death of two senior police officials. They now have eight of them and all are being used for the World Cup teams.
The police officers who are supposed to travel with the team have also been selected after heavy screening. They are all officers who have received commando training.
When asked why Sri Lanka is being provided such security, a senior police official at the Wankhede stadium said. "The Sri Lankan team was targeted in Pakistan. We do not want it to repeat here. A special team has been formed to follow the cricketers whether they are in the hotel or outside."
Anura Tennekoon, who is the manager of the team, is very impressed with the security. So when reporters asked him whether all the security has made the players feel safer, especially after being attacked in Pakistan, he said: "Frankly the players have forgotten about the Pakistan attack and no one carries any after-effect of that. We are all focused on winning the World Cup."
