Wounded Sri Lankan cricketers home after attack
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's wounded and shaken cricketers flew into Colombo under tight security early Wednesday, less than a day after a deadly ambush targeting the team in Pakistan, an airport official said.
Relieved relatives gave the tour party an emotional welcome as the 25-member contingent was led from a specially chartered Sri Lankan Airlines Airbus A320 by team manager Brendon Kuruppu.
Star batsman Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavithana, who received hospital treatment in Pakistan, were placed in an ambulance and taken to a private medical facility in Colombo, a senior official said.
Spin bowler Ajantha Mendis was seen leaving the aircraft with a plaster behind his right ear. A total of seven players and an assistant coach were hurt in the attack, which left eight people dead.
Vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, who was another wounded in Tuesday's gun and grenade assault, told reporters that the players had been asked by team management not to speak with reporters.
Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge also met the team at Bandaranaike International Airport, where security was tight, the official said.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, but some Sri Lankan officials fear a possible link with the military offensive against ethnic Tamil rebels in the island's north.
Sri Lanka were airlifted from Gaddafi Stadium by helicopter before flying out of Lahore late Tuesday, abandoning a tour which was only arranged when India refused to visit their troubled neighbour.
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