Dubai: Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara took to Twitter to allege that he was the victim of racial discrimination at London Heathrow Airport last week. Sangakkara, who is playing for Surrey in the current County season, voiced his criticism against an immigration official on the microblog.
The number one ranked Test batsmen in the world tweeted saying: “Back in London last night. Had a horrendous experience with a rude, patronising and extremely discourteous UK immigration officer.”
Back in London last night. Had a horrendous experience with a rude, patronising and extremely discourteous UK immigration officer.— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 9, 2015
Sangakkara, a global icon of the sport, had strong words. “No matter colour, religion or fame every well-intentioned traveller deserves courtesy. Luckily for me it was one person and just this once,” he added.
No matter colour, religion or fame every well intentioned traveller deserves courtesy. Luckily for me it was one person and just this once— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 9, 2015
“I understand the need for vigilance completely but common courtesy and manners are not too much to ask for,” the wicket-keeper-batsman said in a string of tweets.
However, he highlighted that this was a one-off issue faced over the course of his career.
I understand the need for vigilance completely but common courtesy and manners is not too much to ask for .— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 9, 2015
“Luckily the rest of the UK immigration officers were lovely. Coming to the UK for 15 years and first time I have encountered this,” tweeted the batsman who has previously played for Warwickshire and Durham in County cricket.
Luckily the rest of the UK immigration officers were lovely. Coming to the UK for 15 years and first time I have encountered this.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 9, 2015
The former Sri Lankan captain, who signed a two-year deal with Surrey earlier this year, did not reveal any further details on what exactly took place during the incident.
Even though ‘Sanga’ has retired from the shorter formats of the game, he will reportedly cap off his 15-year career in Test cricket later this year following the home series against India.
One of the modern greats, the Sri Lankan has recently signed to play with the Hobart Hurricanes for the 2015-16 Big Bash League, expected to start in December later this year.
Sangakkara has scored a total of 12,203 Test runs, the most by a Sri Lankan along with his 14, 234 runs in ODI cricket, which is second to only Sachin Tendulkar.
