SL vs AUS: Spectators prohibited from Galle Fort ramparts to keep away protestors

Spectators have been prohibited from the ramparts of the Galle Fort that is neighbouring the Galle International Stadium, which currently hosts the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia. Anti-government protesters who were present in that area during the first Test match were taken off the place forcibly.

Police officers have been guarding the area and it was learned that even the International Cricket Council (ICC) had asked to keep spectators away from the region. However, public spaces in Sri Lanka such as the fort is beyond the jurisdiction of the ICC. And this is one of the first instances of the ICC asking spectators to be away from watching a game, according to ESPNCricinfo reports.

Protesters were removed to make sure batters were not distracted: Reports

Last week, it was told to The Morning by an army spokesperson that the protesters were brought out of the place to make sure that the batters were not distracted. However, Australians, who were batting that day, told that they had no complaints about the public’s presence at the fort. Before a number of protesters were taken off the area on Day 2 of the first Test match, a sign calling for Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister and President to resign was seen for a long time.

On Day 3 of the Test match, there were no spectators on the rampart, since the area was guarded by the army and police officials. Hundreds of people, and sometimes even thousands gather in the rampart area to watch cricket matches in Galle since it is public property and is free for everybody. 

However, there have been extensive anti-government protests in recent times, as the country faces one of its worst economic crises in many years, which has prompted people to queue up for hours for basic resources such as fuel, cooking gas, and medicines, among other things. Work and school have also been compromised due to a lack of public transportation facilities, while universities have been shut down under government orders. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has banned all anti-government placards from stadiums.