COLOMBO, Nov 7: England cricket team will be protected by an elite police unit normally used to guard visiting heads of states, cricket officials said on Friday, as prospects brightened for the team’s arrival next week.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived to rousing welcome from a trip to the United States and hours later President Chandrika Kumaratunga withdrew her decree that imposed emergency rule.

A special elite police unit, the ministerial security division, will watch over both teams, said Lawrence Amarasena, executive committee member of Sri Lanka cricket board.

The unit is normally used to protect government ministers and visiting heads of state.

About 250 policemen will guard entry points to the players’ area and there will be additional forces at every match venue. Some will also be posted in the hotel where the teams will stay, Amarasena said.

“They (fans) are gaining more confidence ... things should improve,” cricket board secretary Mohan De Silva said.

Sri Lanka cricket will inform England & Wales Cricket Board of the security developments, to reassure them about safety.

England arrives in Sri Lanka Nov 13 to play three tests and three one-day internationals during their 37-day stay. The first one-day international will be played Nov 18.—PPI