Expressing dismay over the action by the ICC in playing a Hindi song while the Sri Lankan team was parading under the Sri Lanka banner during the opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament in London, Minister Wimal Weerawansa said that the Sri Lankan cricket team should have withdrawn from the tournament until the error was regretted and corrected.

“It is a pity that the Sri Lankan cricket captain is spineless. He should have kept away from the tournament until the error was regretted and corrected,” the minister said.

Addressing an event yesterday, the minister said those involved in playing cricket had failed to realise that Sri Lanka and India were two nations.

In sports or in any other sphere, those in command should always strive to protect the prestige of our country at whatever situation, the minister added.(DM online)