Sri Lanka Cricket offers formal apology, cash and new clothes to 'inhumanly' treated groundsmen

Colombo: The Sri Lanka Cricket board on Wednesday offered cash and new clothes to temporary groundsmen who were forced to hand in the uniforms they were wearing before being paid their wages. [caption id=“attachment_3807153” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Sri Lankan groundsmen in action. REUTERS[/caption] Dozens of casual labourers left the Hambantota international cricket stadium on Monday night in their underwear after they were forced to hand back the uniforms they had been provided. “The way they were treated is unacceptable and I have ordered that they be given a new set of clothes plus an extra day’s wages,” Sri Lanka board chief Thilanga Sumathipala said. “It is inhuman and slavery.” Soon after the news broke on Tuesday, the board had issued a formal apology. Sumathipala said an investigation was underway and those responsible would be dealt with. Zimbabwe claimed the one-day international series against Sri Lanka 3-2, embarrassing a home side that has struggled with fitness, losses and coaching upheaval.