India practice amid tight security

The Indian cricket team had a routine practice session here today even as the fate of the cricket tri-series hung in balance following Monday's powerful explosion in the vicinity of the team hotels.

The Indians, who had skipped an Independence Day function at the Indian High Commission this morning, went for their practice session in the afternoon amid tight security. The Indian team has been provided with bullet proof cars as part of an enhanced security ring in the wake of the bomb blast yesterday at a busy shopping arcade.

The Indians are scheduled to play their first match of the tri-series, which has South Africa as the third team, tomorrow against the hosts at the R Premadasa Stadium.

The South Africans have expressed apprehensions over their security in the wake of the explosion. They were scheduled to play their opener against Sri lanka today but the match was called off due to uncertainty over their participation.