They climbed the walls of the Galle Fort in the first session on day two of the second Test, condemning president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka is going through its worst crisis in history, and the nation is bankrupt. The people of the island have endured months of turmoil with food and fuel shortages. Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka was meant to provide relief to the people amidst the economic crisis, but the latest unrest reached the Galle International Stadium during the second Test.
The morning session of the second day witnessed hundreds of protestors climbing the walls of Galle Fort condemning president Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the mismanagement. The crowd chanted for the resignation of president Rajapaksa. Two hours later, an angry group of protestors forced Rajapaksa to flee his home in the capital.
Steve Smith, who scored a magnificent 145 not-out in Australia’s first innings, revealed after stumps that they could hear the chants in the middle but it didn’t affect the match in any way.
“Today obviously the country is in turmoil, people outside having their say. We could obviously hear it, I mean we can still hear it now. But it didn’t get to anyone or play a part in what was happening out here,”
he said, as per France 24.
A large crowd gathered outside the Galle Stadium throughout the day, waving the Sri Lankan flag and chanting.
Despite the protest reaching the stadium, cricket officials have denied making any changes to the schedule, stating that it has not affected the sport.
“There is no opposition to having the games. In fact, fans are supportive and we have no reason to reschedule,”
a cricket board official was quoted as per AFP.
As for the second Test, the hosts fought valiantly on day two after bowling out the visitors for 364 earlier in the day. When the day ended, the hosts were 184/2, with Kusal Mendis batting on 85* and Angelo Mathews new at the crease on 6*, trailing by 180 runs.
