The prime emotion in England after the Test defeat in Galle seems to be one of outrage at incompetent umpiring, over-zealous appealing and a doctored pitch. But here in Sri Lanka there is just sympathy and of course tea from our hosts. The Sri Lankans we meet in shops, taxis and restaurants, while delighted by their team's victory, all preface their remarks with 'I'm sorry about the umpiring' as if it was their fault.
Objectivity is a strain, so first some facts.
This may seem an abnormally high ratio of dismissals requiring the umpires' intervention but on turning dustbowls this is often the case. Everything happens in a flurry around the wicket. It's much easier to umpire in Perth, with its fast, bouncy pitch, than it is in Galle. When England were in the field during the first two days the ball hit the middle of the bat so frequently that there was limited scope for appeals of any sort. When England batted it was a different matter.