Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Board Directors of LiveEvents.LK, have pledged that the company will make a suitable refund to ticket holders of 'Enrique Iglesias Live in Colombo' concert.

In a media statement, the duo acknowledged that the concert fell short of expectations, pointing out that "there have clearly been glaring mistakes made, for which responsibility needs to be taken".

The organizers are in agreement, with our direction, that such shortcomings must not be tolerated. As such, we have informed them that an apology in itself is not sufficient, but further appropriate compensation has to be made in the form of a suitable refund, irrespective of the financial loss to us" Sangakkara and Jayawardene further said.

Their full statement is given below:

Dear Enrique Ticket Holders,

We wish to apologise to all of you for your negative experience at the recently concluded Enrique Concert. Although both of us were overseas fulfilling cricket commitments, we were shocked and saddened to hear of the events that transpired. It is extremely disappointing for us that this event, organised to assist the development of Sri Lanka as a tourist and entertainment hub and provide the public with exceptional entertainment of a high standard by accessing celebrated international artists, turned out in this manner. We are issuing this statement today, after understanding all circumstances and the facts.

When the idea was pitched to us and other investors by the organisers to bring an artist such as Enrique to Sri Lanka, we backed it in all good faith expecting a stellar event delivered in a professional manner to the public of Sri Lanka. Although we realised that such a venture will be an arduous one due to the well-known challenges and market restraints of organising such large-scale events in Sri Lanka, we were willing to support this endeavour considering the rich experience and the image-building potential for Sri Lanka’s tourism. As such, all required resources – both financial and otherwise – were made available to the organizers to ensure the desired outcome.

Unfortunately, the event has fallen far short of these expectations. Although we believe that the organising team worked tirelessly and with good intentions to ensure a well-run event, there have clearly been glaring mistakes made, for which responsibility needs to be taken.

Firstly, although the delay of the artist and some equipment arriving at the venue, which caused the subsequent delay in opening the gates to usher in the public, for which the artist responsibly and graciously apologized, was beyond the control of the organizers, the communication of this to the public was mishandled, thereby inconveniencing people greatly. Those that stood patiently in-line for hours were not extended the courtesy of being informed of the ground situation. This at the very beginning would have frustrated and angered all of you.

Secondly, although a professional security company was hired and protocols were put in place to ensure the safety and the comfort of all, we have been made well-aware that these measures were inadequate when faced with the challenges of controlling such a large gathering, and failed alarmingly. This obviously undermined the overall experience for those who purchased premium tickets by their respective space being encroached upon by others, and we fully understand their disappointment and anger. The premium price paid by them for their tickets needs to be respected and their comfort and viewing experience should have been safeguarded, which is under the direct purview of the organizers.

The organizers are in agreement, with our direction, that such shortcomings must not be tolerated. As such, we have informed them that an apology in itself is not sufficient, but further appropriate compensation has to be made in the form of a suitable refund, irrespective of the financial loss to us.

With regards to recent reports concerning Live Events and Municipal entertainment taxes, we categorically state the company remains transparent and ethical in all operations.

Live Events will continue to ensure full compliance with all relevant tax commitments and is providing all necessary information to the Colombo Municipal Council, in order to clarify facts and the way forward. Accountability and integrity is paramount to us and we believe it to be the same for the organizers.

Although we know an apology or refund cannot fully satiate your disappointment, we wish to reiterate that we remain fully committed to all of you and our country. As such, a full and thorough internal inquiry is ongoing into all areas of concern.

The retired Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara was honored as the 'Kia Batsman of the Year'  at the Surrey CCC End of Season Awards at the Kia Oval on Friday (25) night.

Sangakkara, was pivotal in the success of the Surrey County Cricket Club during the Country season in all forms of the game.

Surrey became the Division Two Champions and were also the runners-up at the Royal London One Day Cup this season. Sangakkara scored several hundreds, including a memorable one in the Royal London One Day Cup semi-final.

Surrey remained in total control of their LV= Division Two match at Old Trafford and by the close of third day had set Lancashire 492 to win and thereby achieve the most unlikely of victories. Should Surrey's bowlers dismiss the home side they will clinch the title less than 48 hours before they play Gloucestershire in the final of the Royal London Cup.

Having dismissed Lancashire for 272 in their first innings, Surrey skipper Gareth Batty opted not to enforce the follow-on but allowed his batsmen free rein to make 283 for 7 declared in their second innings, Kumar Sangakkara stroking a superb 118. Lancashire were 22 without loss in their second innings at close of play.

In the morning session Surrey took Lancashire's last five first-innings wickets for the addition of 131 runs with the last pair, James Anderson and Simon Kerrigan adding 65 for the last wicket before Anderson was bowled by Tom Curran for 42. Kerrigan remained unbeaten on 23.

Earlier in the session, spectators at Old Trafford had been given another glimpse of the precocious talent of 17-year-old Sam Curran.

After his brother, Tom, had taken the vital wicket of Ashwell Prince, caught by first slip Sangakkara for 45, the younger Curran removed Jordan Clark leg before for 29 and Tom Bailey, yorked first ball to collect the second five-wicket haul of his five-match career.

Then Arron Lilley was caught at midwicket by Matt Dunn off Gareth Batty for 33 before Kerrigan was joined by Anderson in a stand which saw Lancashire collect their second batting bonus point. Sam Curran finished with a career-best 5 for 67.

In their second innings Surrey's batsmen were frequently able to score at will, particularly Sangakkara, who reached his hundred off 115 balls with 13 fours.

Surrey were 161 for 2 at tea and the two wickets to fall were those of Ben Foakes, who was leg before to Tom Bailey for 14, and Rory Burns, who was caught at midwicket by James Anderson off Simon Kerrigan for 44.

In the evening session Surrey traded wickets for runs and Lancashire skipper Steven Croft collected four cheap wickets for 35 runs in seven overs. No batsmen apart from Sangakkara scored more than fifty but Gary Wilson was 30 not out when Batty finally declared.

Lancashire have never scored more than 404 to win in the fourth innings of a game and the chances of them winning this game are on the far side of slim. By close of play the Division Two trophy was on its way to Old Trafford in case Surrey are able to force a victory on the final afternoon

(espncricinfo)

Sri Lankan ace batsman Kumar Sangakkara led the way to an epic four run victory for Surrey against Notts at the second semi-final of the Royal London One-Day Cup.

The game was played out at the Kennington Oval in London on Monday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Surrey lost their first wicket when Steve Davies was dismissed for four runs, bringing Sangakkara to the crease. He almost saw through the entire innings, losing his wicket in the last over. In an innings full of class and aggression, he picked up 166 runs in just 138 deliveries faced, with 13 fours and a six on the way. Apart from his trademark shots, Sangakkara was seen playing the scoop effectively.

Surrey scored exactly 300, giving Notts a formidable target. Early in their reply, Notts lost three wickets for 16 runs. Then they built the innings around Greg Smith, who scored 124 runs. However, they fell agonizingly short of the target, ending at 296 for 7.

Sri Lanka's former Test cricketer Kumar Sangakkara's Twitter account was hacked a short while ago.

The incident became apparent when an 'inappropriate' image was shared by the Twitter account.

Sangakkara was taking part in an English county game against Derbyshire when the incident was noted. He represents Surrey in the English county games.