Debasis Sen, Pallekele: National anthems of both India and Sri Lanka will not be played at the start of the second ODI today at the Pallekele International Stadium. According to Mr. Dinesh Ratnasingham, the media manager of the Sri Lankan team, “We have adopted the practice of singing National Anthem only at the beginning of each format of the game.”
It has been a practice here to play the national anthems only at the beginning of any bi-lateral series. Likewise the national anthems were being played before the start of the first test match of the series at Galle and also before the first ODI at Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla.
“The practice of singing National Anthem was followed in the first ODI (on Sunday at Dambulla) and again it will be sung at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo before the commencement of the only T-20 match (6th September) on this tour. Rest of the venues will have immediate start of the match without the Anthem Ceremony,” confirmed Dinesh.
It will, however, be interesting to see the National Anthem of which country will be played when the Rest of the World XI plays against Pakistan next month.