Wednesday, August 16 2006 10:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: Sri Lanka's cricket authorities will know later on Tuesday (15 Aug,2006) if their efforts to salvage the limited-overs tri-series against India and South Africa have borne fruit. The series hung in the balance after South Africa indicates they want to return home following Monday's (14 Aug, 2006) blast close to their team hotel in the Sri Lankan capital that killed seven people and injured eight.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief executive Duleep Mendis says the South Africans are in contact with their foreign ministry to take a final decision. "We will have a clear picture later in the day," Mendis says, adding the rescheduled opening match of the tri-series between South Africa and the hosts at the Premadasa stadium on Tuesday (15 Aug, 2006) afternoon has been cancelled.

The match was to be played on Monday (14 Aug, 2006) but was called off due to heavy rain.

"If the tri-series goes ahead, the match will be played at a later date," Mendis says.

A meeting called by the SLC on Tuesday (15 Aug, 2006) morning to decide the fate of the series, scheduled to run till August 29, is also cancelled pending word from the South African foreign ministry.

Even if the Proteas pull out, the SLC indicates it is keen to host bilateral one-day matches with India in place of the tri-series. "Yes, the possibility of India playing Sri Lanka was discussed, but we will not move further till we know whether South Africa are staying or going," a senior Sri Lankan cricket official tells sources.

The official, who does not wish to be named, adds the television company producing the tri-series will support a bilateral face-off.

The Indian team has for the time being decides against cancelling its tour following increased security and positive indications from the Indian diplomatic mission in Colombo.

"There is no panic within the team," manager Sanjay Jagdale says on Tuesday (15 Aug, 2006).

"I have kept the team informed of our discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket and our High Commission (embassy) here."

A late-night meeting on Monday (14 Aug, 2006) between the South Africans and Sri Lanka's police chief Chandra Fernando ended in stalemate, a police source tells sources.

"We tried to reassure the South Africans of their safety in Colombo but they did not appear to be convinced," the source says.

The blast on Monday (14 Aug, 2006) targeted Pakistan's ambassador Bashir Wali Mohamed, who escaped unhurt. The explosion hit a Sri Lankan military vehicle escorting him.

It is the first time in 21 years that a civilian foreigner has been targeted in an attack in Sri Lanka's three-decades-old separatist campaign.

The attack came days after a powerful car bomb attack on a government Tamil politician in Colombo. The politician escaped but his bodyguard and two bystanders were killed.