The arrival date of Oswestry’s new overseas cricket professional, Lahiru “Larry” Samarakoon, is still uncertain after the bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

The highly rated all-rounder was set to make his debut for Oswestry in their Birmingham Premier League home win over Ombersley last Saturday, but did not arrive on time.

Samarakoon’s scheduled departure from Colombo last Wednesday was unexpectedly put on hold as immigration officials continued to process the player’s paperwork.

A club spokesman said: “Despite making a timely application and our very best efforts to fast track and expedite matters, including the payment of an additional fee, there was, unfortunately, a delay in processing his application.

"Then came Sunday’s atrocities, following which a curfew was imposed which has now been lifted, but emergency powers remain in place.

"Larry was due to collect his visa yesterday before flying into Manchester on Thursday, but the Immigration Office, we understand, was closed.

"With flights out of Colombo being delayed by increased security checks, we can only sit and wait.

"We continue to be in very close contact with Larry, but matters remain entirely beyond our control after the weekend’s tragic events."

More than 300 people have died in the attacks, with eight from the United Kingdom believed to be among them, with much of the death toll made up of Sri Lankans.

A national day of mourning was held on Tuesday while at least 40 people were arrested by Sri Lankan authorities.