Has the Cricket world cup 2011 brought a cold war between India and Sri Lanka?

ICC Cricket world cup 2011 is over. It is been more than a month, but there are some doubtful incidents happening behind the screen which could lead to a cold war between two countries. This time it was not only been as a sport but as a political game.

There were so many questions came up regarding the finals but remaining unanswered. There were rumors about Sri Lankan cricket players as they engaged themselves in match fixing as well as they were forced by political authorities to lose the finals. However, nothing was proven and Sri Lankan players and the Cricket committee refused to accept any of this alleges.

Now this subject is taking a turn towards a cold war. The ministry of cricket and sports, Sri Lanka has stated that the Indian government and the cricket council did not provide the honor to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha and the other Ministers when they went to see the cricket match finals in Mumbai, India. There were 20 ministers with including president, went to see the match. Only 10 VIP seats were given to Ministers and remaining were given a Rs 5,000 ticket and those ministers underwent security checks at every point, which was embarrassing.

However, Indian Government has stated that they did not notify the Indian cricket government about their visit as earliest. Still there is another question raised by Sri Lankan government. Why Indian government did not provide the pre-invitations professionally to Sri Lankan political leaders to see the match as country representatives? The silence of Indian government in this matter will not do any good rather making it even worse.

The Sri Lanka’s sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage is now trying to play a new political game. He requested the Sri Lankan players withdraw themselves from IPL matches and reach Colombo before 5^th of May 2011 to join England series. His motive is to threaten Indian Cricket Council and Indian Government indirectly.

But most of the Sri Lankan players who is playing in IPL are refused to withdraw themselves before 10^th of May. Some has stated that they will play until May 20. They are paid a lot by Indian cricket council to participate in IPL. Moreover, the Sri Lankan government has already given the permission to the layers to play in IPL. Now they tend to behave, as they were never known about this.

Now the Sri Lanka’s sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage announced that the Sri Lankan cricket board (SLC) allowing its players to play in the Indian Premier League until May 18. However, this decision also taken due to the intense pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Lankan sports minister dismissed such threats and even claimed that his country didn't bow to Indian pressure. In addition, he stated, “Whatever happened in the ICC World Cup 2011 finals was a protocol issue. This is cricket and don't mix the game with protocol issues”

Whatever said and done the ICC Cricket world cup has brought a cold war between Sri Lanka and India. The main reason for all these, the cricket has the core influence of politics in both the countries.

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