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Sri Lanka to host England on ‘sub-standard’ cricket pitch

The venue of the first test match of England’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka is currently without water or electricity.

The stadium’s curator, Jayananda Warnaweera, said that supplies were cut off after bills were left unpaid by the Sri Lankan cricket board (SLC), which is under severe financial pressure.

"Yes there has been an issue due to the financial crisis faced by the SLC. We discussed it with the SLC and I hope it will be settled by Tuesday," he told the BBC Sinhala service.

Warnaweera insisted the pitch will be ready before the first test and hit out at criticism.

“They only point the finger only when something happens in an Asian country. Similar incident happened in Australia but did not accuse anybody,” Mr Warnaweera told BBC Sinhala service.

“I can assure you that a much better pitch for the England game will be prepared.”

England’s controversial tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to go ahead even though there have been calls by organisations to boycott the Sri Lankan Cricket team due to the continuing failure of the government to address allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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