Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has accused Ryanair staff of racist treatment during a recent experience at Dublin Airport. Sangakkara, who retired from international cricket with 12,400 Test runs, said he and his family were subjected to rude behaviour by an airline employee over an issue involving their e-visas.

The incident took place as Sangakkara and his family prepared to board a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Bristol following a short trip to celebrate his 49th birthday. According to Sangakkara, confusion arose at the boarding gate regarding the need to display e-visas for their Sri Lankan passports. Although officials at a separate visa check desk had earlier indicated that showing the e-visas on a mobile device at the gate was not necessary, Sangakkara was directed to produce the documents at the last minute.

Sangakkara described how a staff member at the boarding gate demanded that he immediately download the e-visas, raising her voice in a public area and instructing him to “hurry up” or risk missing the flight. When he requested additional time, the employee became increasingly hostile, accusing Sangakkara of being “argumentative and aggressive” and threatening not to allow him to board, labeling him a potential threat to other passengers. During the exchange, Sangakkara says the staff member said, “You people with your kinds of passports should expect this.”

His wife, Yehali Sangakkara, expressed shock at the remark, telling the staff member that her comment was offensive and inappropriate, especially given the otherwise positive nature of their visit to Dublin. Despite the confrontation, the family was ultimately permitted to board the flight.

Sangakkara also sought the name of the employee in order to file a formal complaint, but he reported being refused and threatened with further boarding denial for persisting in the request. He described the remarks as racist and deeply troubling, emphasizing that he had made efforts to adhere to the airline’s procedures and had not refused to comply with any requirements.

Ryanair responded by stating that Sangakkara had declined to show the required visa documentation when requested during mandatory immigration checks at the gate. The airline confirmed that after completing these checks and verifying his eligibility, Sangakkara was allowed to travel on the scheduled flight from Dublin to Bristol.

Sangakkara has submitted a detailed complaint to Ryanair describing the incident and said he expects to receive a reply within eight days. While expressing disappointment at the event, he also praised Dublin and its people for the otherwise pleasant experience his family had during their visit.

“I didn’t seek publicity and only want to highlight that this kind of treatment is unacceptable,” Sangakkara said. “It shouldn’t have happened to me or anyone else.”