Bombs: Security update eases England fears in Sri Lanka

The tourists had just left the Sri Lankan capital for Kandy when the first of the explosions took place outside the office of Welfare Devananda.

Although he survived the assassination attempt, his personal secretary was killed.

Hours later, in another part of the city, a remote controlled device exploded outside a department store, killing several people and seriously injuring a number of others.

The government blamed both attacks on the rebel Tamil Tigers group.

Despite the severity of the incidents, the British High Commission in Colombo advised England that they were not under direct threat and the tour could proceed as planned.

But the squad were clearly shaken by what had happened.

Kevin Pietersen said: 'It definitely caused concern among the players. It's never nice to hear about casualties and the way that innocent civilians were killed in Colombo. Our hearts go out to their families.

'I woke up this morning to find a load of text messages from England and South Africa. But we had a meeting this morning and were told that our circle is pretty secure, hopefully.'

Despite the blasts, Pietersen is focusing on the first Test, which starts tomorrow.

He said: 'We have to just concentrate on what we've got to do out here. We have been told to get on with the cricket and focus on what we are paid to do.'