"Unacceptable for any passenger."
Kumar Sangakkara accused Ryanair staff of discriminatory and threatening behaviour towards his family at Dublin Airport.
The former Sri Lanka cricket captain aired his complaints on X on October 28 after the encounter with staff at the departure gate. He and his family were travelling from Dublin to Bristol.
Sangakkara criticised the way staff spoke to his family and questioned how the airline handled the procedures, describing the experience as unacceptable for any passenger.
He tweeted: “Has anyone experienced discriminatory gate personnel @Ryanair in Dublin?
“I with my family just did and it was shocking. The tone of address and the mishandling of procedure and threatening behaviour.
“Unacceptable for any passenger. First bad experience in Dublin.”
The former wicketkeeper did not provide further details about the alleged discriminatory behaviour or specify what was said during the encounter.
Sangakkara’s tweet prompted a wave of support, including from Piers Morgan, who called on the airline to address his complaint.
“Rarely met a more decent, dignified man than Kumar.
“For him to say this, it must have been truly shameful behaviour. I hope you deal with this urgently & properly @Ryanair.”
Sangakkara also exchanged messages with Sri Lankan businessman Sanjiva Weerawarana, who shared his experiences of discrimination while living and travelling abroad.
Kumar Sangakkara replied: “It is quite jarring when you experience it @sanjiva.”
When another supporter expressed surprise and sadness at the incident, the former Sri Lanka captain emphasised that his concern extended beyond his own experience.
“No one should experience it not just me.”
Has anyone experienced discriminatory gate personnel @Ryanair in Dublin ? I with my family just did and it was shocking. The tone of address and the mishandling of procedure and threatening behavior. Unacceptable for any passenger. First bad experience in Dublin
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) October 28, 2026
Meanwhile, Ryanair said its employee had been carrying out compulsory immigration checks and that Sangakkara initially refused to provide the required visa documentation.
The airline said:
“This passenger refused to provide the required visa documentation when requested by a gate agent carrying out mandatory immigration checks.”
“Following completion of these checks and verification of this passenger’s eligibility to travel, this passenger travelled on this scheduled flight from Dublin to Bristol (28 Oct).”
Sangakkara, widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers, has lived primarily in Dorset since relocating to the UK with his family in early 2022. He also owns a property in Galle, Sri Lanka.
He met his wife, Yhali, during their school years, and the couple welcomed twins in 2009.
