Sangakkara condemns anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka

DUBAI: World renowned Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has strongly condemned the anti-Muslim riots going on in his country.

He wrote in a tweet that “no one in Sri Lanka can be marginalized or threatened or harmed due to their ethnicity or religion. We are One Country and One people. Love, trust and acceptance should be our common mantra. No place for racism and violence. STOP. Stand together and stand strong”.

The government declared an island-wide state of emergency Tuesday and imposed curfews across Kandy after days of rioting claimed at least two lives and left Muslim homes and businesses in ruins.

Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara, who is considered a cricket legend of Sri Lanka, is presently playing for Multan Sultans in the third edition of the Pakistan Super League in the United Arab Emirates.

The 40-year-old veteran cricketer has played 134 Test matches, 404 One-day Internationals and 56 Twenty20 internationals for Sri Lanka as left-handed opening/middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper. He has also captained his country in all formats of the game.