Cricket attack horrifies Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans react with shock and dismay at the attack on their cricket team in Pakistan.

These are the scenes on Sri Lankan's televisions which have caused shock across the nation.

At least six players from their cricket team and their British assistant coach were wounded in a gun attack on their bus which also killed five policemen and a bus driver. .

It happened as they approached the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore in Pakistan where they were to take part in the test series. .

The Sri Lanka president cut short his three day state visit to Nepal when he heard the news.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SRI LANKAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ROHITHA BAGOLLAGAMA, SAYING:

"That's a sad day for cricket, and above all, we from Sri Lanka condemn all forms of violence, and particularly when violence is directed at a sporting team and a national team that is renowned.

The father of injured cricketer, Tharanga Paranavithana was appalled the incident had happened in Pakistan. .

(SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) FATHER OF INJURED SRI LANKA CRICKETER THARANGA PARANAVITHANA, RANJITH PARANAVITHANA SAYING:

"We feel very hurt that this kind of thing happened in another country because in a country like Sri Lanka when the situation was even worse, foreign teams toured the country and left without any problems."

A former Sri Lanka cricket captain questioned why the team had been allowed to travel to Pakistan in the first place when its high security risk was well known.

. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER SRI LANKAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, HASHAN THILAKARATNA, SAYING:

"We all knew that there are so many security problems in Pakistan. After Australia and India refused to come to Pakistan, I don't know why we wanted to send a cricket team to Pakistan. The minister and the government should take responsibility. As cricketers we are very sorry and we are sad about the whole situation."

The incident is being discussed all over the country with many condemning Pakistan for allowing it to happen.

(SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) DRIVER, KAMAL PERERA, SAYING:

"This is a terrorist act. The Pakistan government must take responsibility for this."

Sri Lanka says none of the injured squad members were in a serious condition and they were all due to be brought back to Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

Penny Tweedie, Reuters.