Enforcing heavy security measures in preparation for the Saturday's World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium India has declared the entire south Mumbai a no-fly zone to prevent any possible aerial attacks.

Indian police has said that only aircraft belonging to the security agencies including the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy and others will be allowed in the air space.

According to the police, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as other high level VIPs of both countries are expected to attend the Saturday's World Cup final.

President Rajapaksa is scheduled to fly to Mumbai today.

The Maharashtra state government has already declared a holiday for Mumbai city and suburbs Saturday, Indian media reported.

The authorities have also decided to ban group text messages for the day and are conducting background checks on various foreign nationals living or touring in south Mumbai.

Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik has said that all security personnel have been issued special bio-metric identity cards and instructed to operate at 'zero tolerance' levels on the match day, the IANS reported.

The Indian media has reported that the Indian Government with the International Cricket Council (ICC) is to make all the arrangements for the visit of the Sri Lankan President.

The Sri Lankan team arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday amid heavy security from commandos and crack units of the Mumbai police. Pace bowler Chaminda Vaas and spinner Suraj Randiv were also flown to Mumbai last evening as covering players.
Umpires Simon Taufle and Aleem Dar will be the on-field umpires for the World Cup final while Jeff Crowe will be the match referee. Ian Gould will act as Third Umpire while Steve Davis will be the fourth Umpire

The Hindu publishing a feature article titled " World Cup cricket final pits India vs Sri Lanka" said Saturday's match between India vs. Sri Lanka features the best batsman against the most prolific bowler.

Sachin Tendulkar will take on Muttiah Muralitharan, who is aiming to win it again in his last international match.

Muralitharan will draw on his experience of winning the World Cup at age 23 when Sri Lanka stunned the cricket establishment with a seven-wicket over the Australians at Lahore in 1996.

In the first all-Asian final, the teams match up well, the Hindu said.