England fans hit out at ‘rip off’ £50 tickets for Test matches in Sri Lanka (and locals will pay just £1.50)
England face playing in front of empty stands in their Test series against Sri Lanka this winter because of a dispute over the price of tickets.
The Barmy Army, who are always present in their thousands on England tours, have told their members to wait before booking their winter trips while they lead the protests against an exorbitant Sri Lankan ticketing policy.
Sri Lanka, through a ticketing agent, want to charge English fans £50 a day for the Tests in Colombo, Galle and Kandy which start in November, while locals are allowed in for just £1.50. To compound the dispute, Sri Lanka say away fans will not be allowed to mix with home supporters in their fan zones.
There was a similar dispute over England’s last tour to Sri Lanka six years ago but many supporters bit the bullet and paid the £25 per day they were asked to, having accepted that there should be a ‘tourist tax’.
This time, however, the prices being quoted are double that, leading Barmy Army managing director Chris Millard to say: ‘It’s totally farcical. They are trying to rip off English fans.
‘We’re also being told we can’t go on the grassy banks where the cheaper seats are but a lot of our members like to sit with home supporters and enjoy the banter.’
The Barmy Army have highlighted the situation to the ECB who say they are in contact with Sri Lanka Cricket but Millard has heard nothing for two months so has set up a petition to spread awareness.
‘We would never suggest a boycott because we will support the team all over the world whatever the cost,’ added Millard. ‘But a lot of people will be watching in Galle from the fort overlooking the ground.
‘We just hope Sri Lanka will follow the example of Notts on the last day of the third Test the other day at Trent Bridge and revise their policy.’
(Daily Mail)
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Not only they get rip off in test matches, but also at hotels and all tourist attractions also. Tourist have to pay much more than the locals at any event. This is the only country in the world that tourist pay more than the locals to feed the starving lazy Sri Lankens who find a living by selling the beauty of that country, Shame.
What a shame. Totally disagree with foreigners being asked to pay unreasonable rates. Over to you Sports Minister, PM, President. If u can’t provide leadership to this sort of problems, I suggest u pack up & go home!!!
Most probably the crooks who run our country are getting a cut out of these deals. Otherwise what is the sense in asking a tourist to pay more – ridiculous! The Minister of Tourism should look into this sort of complaint without talking scrap! The country should rise up against these rogues- led by the President, PM & their cronies!