Some Sri Lankan cricket stars are backing protests sweeping the island nation over a spiralling economic crisis, with former Test captain Mahela Jayawardene urging government leaders to resign.
The country is suffering severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials -- along with record inflation and crippling power cuts -- in its most painful downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.
Protests condemning the government's management of the crisis were staged around the island on the weekend in defiance of a curfew and a state of emergency that saw troops deployed to keep order on the streets.
Jayawardene, who now coaches Mumbai in the Indian Premier League, said Sri Lanka's leadership had lost the public's confidence.
Current and former cricketers enjoy a massive fan following in Sri Lanka and their comments carry weight.
"True leaders own up to mistakes," Jayawardene wrote on Twitter.
"There is massive urgency here to protect the people of our country united in their suffering," he added.
"Certain people controlling the economy of this country have lost the people's confidence and must stand down. We then need a good team to give the country confidence and belief."
Some Sri Lankan players in the IPL also spoke out.
"Even though I am many miles away I can still feel the anguish of my fellow Sri Lankans as they struggle to make it through each day," said Bhanuka Rajapaksa of the Punjab Kings.
Others were more cautious, with batting great Kumar Sangakkara giving what appeared to be a rebuke of the protesters.
"It is heartbreaking to see the despair of people and families as they struggle to make it through the day," said Sangakkara, now cricket director for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
"While some are reacting in resentment and anger to that voice, others are trying to take undue advantage of it."
Sangakkara's wife Yaheli, however, was on Monday spotted among protesters gathered at Independence Square in the capital Colombo, where she blamed all 225 members of Sri Lanka's parliament for the economic crisis.
"I came here because they have destroyed the future of young people," she told reporters. "The 225 are responsible for this."
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)