Quick answer
Sri Lankan cricket crowds are loud, musical and welcoming. Papare bands, with trumpets, trombones and drums, play through the innings; fans wave flags, sing and dance; and Australian supporters are usually greeted warmly, with friendly banter and requests for photos. Join in, cheer good cricket on both sides, stand for the national anthems, avoid offensive chants and respect religious sensitivities, including covering any Buddha tattoos.
Key takeaways
- Papare bands, with brass instruments and drums, are a fixture at Sri Lankan cricket matches.
- Sri Lankan fans are usually warm and welcoming to visiting supporters.
- Good-natured banter is part of the experience; offensive chants are not.
- Images of the Buddha on clothing or tattoos are considered deeply disrespectful in Sri Lanka.
- School big matches and day-night internationals have the loudest crowds.
Papare bands and the noise
The sound of Sri Lankan cricket is papare, a style of music played by brass bands with trumpets, trombones, drums and cymbals. Papare bands play through the innings at internationals and school big matches, with fast, catchy tunes that get fans dancing in the stands.
The bands play hardest at boundaries and wickets, and their songs move from traditional baila rhythms to pop hits. At the R Premadasa Stadium on a big night, several bands can play at once, and the noise is extraordinary.
Galle Tests are quieter during the day, but still musical, with bands in the stands and drummers on the ramparts.
- →Papare: brass, drums and cymbals.
- →Loudest: day-night games and big matches.
- →Galle Tests: quieter but still musical.
How Australians are welcomed
Australian fans are usually welcomed warmly in Sri Lankan crowds. Local fans may ask for photos, offer food, start conversations about players and history, and enjoy friendly banter about the rivalry. The 1996 World Cup final, when Sri Lanka beat Australia, is a common and good-humoured topic.
The best way to respond is in the same spirit: smile, take the photos, share the jokes and applaud good Sri Lankan cricket. Many Australian fans find the welcome is one of the highlights of the trip.
Lankan Stays & Trails hears from cricket fans every tour that the friendliness of the crowds was the surprise of the trip.
- →Expect photo requests.
- →Expect 1996 banter.
- →Applaud good cricket from both sides.
Banter and limits
Good-natured banter is part of cricket everywhere, and Sri Lankan fans enjoy it. Keep it light and about the cricket. Personal abuse, racist or religious insults, and aggressive chanting are not acceptable, and can lead to removal from the ground or worse.
Alcohol can change the tone of a group, so keep it under control, especially in the heat. Remember that you are a guest in another country, and the behaviour of a few fans reflects on all Australian supporters.
- →Keep banter light and about the cricket.
- →No personal, racist or religious insults.
- →Keep alcohol under control.
Religion, anthems and respect
Religion is important in Sri Lanka, and some Western habits can cause offence. Images of the Buddha on clothing, flags or tattoos are considered deeply disrespectful, and tourists have been refused entry or deported over visible Buddha tattoos. Cover them, and do not wear such clothing.
Stand for both national anthems. Dress modestly away from the ground, and remove shoes and hats at temples. Avoid public displays that might cause offence, such as removing shirts in the stands, in some grounds and family areas.
- →Cover Buddha tattoos.
- →Stand for both anthems.
- →Dress modestly away from the ground.
How to join in
Join in the music and the dancing, learn a few words of Sinhala or Tamil, such as ayubowan (hello) or vanakkam, and share food if offered. Buy a Sri Lankan flag as well as an Australian one, if you like, and enjoy the cricket.
After the match, especially after a close game, shake hands with the fans around you. That spirit is what makes cricket in Sri Lanka special.
Sri Lankan fans also love their own cricket history, so asking about favourite players, such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene or Sanath Jayasuriya, is an easy way to start a conversation in the stands. Many will happily explain the local heroes of the current team, too.
Frequently asked questions
What are Sri Lankan cricket crowds like?
Sri Lankan cricket crowds are loud, musical and friendly, with papare brass bands, drums, flags, singing and dancing in the stands. Day-night internationals at the R Premadasa Stadium and school big matches have the loudest crowds. Visiting fans are usually welcomed warmly.
What is papare music?
Papare is a style of music played by brass bands at Sri Lankan cricket matches, with trumpets, trombones, drums and cymbals. The bands play fast, catchy tunes through the innings, loudest at boundaries and wickets, and fans dance in the stands. It is a defining part of cricket in Sri Lanka.
Are Australian fans welcome at Sri Lankan cricket matches?
Australian fans are usually welcomed warmly at Sri Lankan matches, with photo requests, conversations about the game and friendly banter about the rivalry. Respond in the same spirit, applaud good cricket from both sides and respect local customs. Most fans find the welcome a highlight of the trip.
Can you show a Buddha tattoo in Sri Lanka?
Visible Buddha tattoos are considered deeply disrespectful in Sri Lanka, and some tourists have been refused entry or deported over them. Cover any Buddha tattoos with clothing at all times, including at cricket matches, and avoid clothing or flags with images of the Buddha.
Is it safe for Australian fans in Sri Lankan crowds?
Sri Lankan crowds are generally safe and friendly for Australian fans. Keep valuables secure, stay hydrated, keep alcohol under control and avoid offensive banter. Big matches are crowded, so arrive early and agree a meeting point with your group in case you are separated.
What is the best way to join in at a Sri Lankan match?
Join in the music and dancing, learn a greeting such as ayubowan in Sinhala or vanakkam in Tamil, accept food or photos in good spirit and applaud good cricket from both sides. After the match, shake hands with the fans around you.
Do Sri Lankan fans still talk about the 1996 World Cup?
Sri Lankan fans often mention the 1996 World Cup final, when Sri Lanka beat Australia in Lahore, and it is usually in good humour. It remains the country's proudest cricket moment. Australian fans who take the banter well, and congratulate them, usually make friends quickly.