UK drama: Ten Sri Lankan athletes missing from Commonwealth Games | Israel today

A day after the end of the British Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, the organizing committee reports today (Tuesday) that ten Sri Lankan athletes and staff members are considered missing, apparently after they seek to avoid returning to the economic crisis and political turmoil in their country. 

The judoka Chamila Delaney, the manager of the judo team Asla da Silva and the wrestler Shanith Chathuranga were the first to disappear.

As a precautionary measure, Sri Lankan officials froze the passports of the team members in an attempt to prevent anyone else from escaping.

However, the local authorities ordered the team leaders to return the athletes' passports, saying that taking them violated English law. 

The demonstrations in Sri Lanka, photo: Reuters

Agence France-Presse reports a Sri Lankan official revealing that the number of athletes and delegation members who fled now stands at 10. "Since then, another seven athletes have disappeared," said an official.

"We suspect they want to stay in Britain, perhaps to find work." 

West Midlands Police has admitted that more people connected to the Commonwealth Games have been reported missing.

"We are aware of eight reports of missing persons linked to Birmingham 2022 and our investigation is ongoing to ensure they are safe and well," West Midlands Police said. 

A team of 110 athletes and 51 staff members represented Sri Lanka at Birmingham 2022. Sri Lanka won one silver and three bronze medals. 

Mass protests were held for months in Sri Lanka against the backdrop of economic mismanagement by the previous government, and this pressure eventually led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The country is facing food and fuel shortages and the government has run out of foreign currency to buy essential products. 

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