The party never stops here

The principal motivation comes from the elaborate orchestra that finds its way inside the stadium. It’s here that the security personnel in this strife-torn land, where security risk is omnipresent, show their home face.

They are neither unduly obstrusive nor are they overbearing. Nobody is spared of the systematic frisking. But once convinced of the harmless nature of the things the spectators are carrying, the security men do nothing to dampen the spirits of the cricket lovers. Arjuna Ranatunga and his men require their support and the folks from the law-enforcing machinery appreciate that as well as any other Lankan citizen.

The cricket enthusiasts are spontaneous in their appreciation and admiration for good cricket especially when it come from their own heroes. The drums, bugles, horns and an assortment of musical instruments helps them shed their inhibitions and join in the singing and dancing. Truly, it’s a sight for sore eyes.

The weather Gods have also been kind to the people here. Rains, which were lashing out for days before the start of the Asia Cup, threatening to cast a wet blanket on the Championship, gave way to bright sunshine. Beer is freely available inside the ground. And as the alcohol level inside the bodies goes up and the intensity of the sun increases, the mood of the fans become even more livelier.

Flag-waving cheer leaders exercise their vocal chords, pumping the spectators to clap and keep going chants of “Lanka, Lanka”. Yet, for all the joie de vivre and the carnival spirit, things do not get out of hand.

There is a sense of discipline that is admirable. They do nothing to inconvenience or irritate fellow-spectators nor do they show unruly displeasure and disappointment at players when the tide is against them. Cricket, lovely cricket.