World Cup ticket seller arrested for profiteering

Sri Lankan police on Thursday arrested a World Cup ticket seller for trying to sell tickets for the upcoming Group A match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at a higher price than permitted, an official said.

Suraj Dandeniya, tournament director for Sri Lanka, said that the man recruited temporarily by Sri Lanka Cricket to sell tickets was in possession of nine tickets priced 50 Sri Lankan rupees (50 US cents) which he tried to sell at 1,000 Sri Lankan rupees ($10) each.

"We got information that a temporary ticket seller was selling tickets at a higher price. Police arrested him," Dandeniya said.

"We have asked police to take stern action against him."

Sri Lankan officials have struggled in recent weeks to cope with the high demand for World Cup tickets, with fans scrambling to buy them at ticket counters.