England tour in doubt](BBC SPORT | Cricket | England safety 'guaranteed')
England are due to arrive in the country on 13 November for three one-day internationals and three Tests.
But Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga has suspended parliament and sacked three powerful ministers.
She has ordered troops to guard key installations, including the state television station.
England are currently on a tour of Bangladesh.
Their spokesman insisted: "As far as we’re concerned the tour is going on.
“It is an evolving situation and we will do whatever the England and Wales Cricket Board tells us.”
Captain Michael Vaughan said the team had not discussed the Sri Lanka issue.
“We have had no discussions on Sri Lanka,” Vaughan said.
“We’re here to play cricket. We’re not here to talk about these things, there are other people who will decide.”
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe has accused the president of bringing the country to the verge of anarchy and chaos.
The president has accused the government of making too many concessions to Tamil Tiger rebels and threatening national security.
A Sri Lankan official says England can safely play cricket on the island.
Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka spokesman Ray Illangakoon said the whole country was “looking forward to the tour”.
He said: “The tour is very much on from our side and we have assured the England team that there is nothing to worry.”
Troops are appearing on many street corners in Colombo
“I have been getting frantic calls from England asking if Sri Lanka was safe to travel. I am telling them absolutely.”
Meanwhile, a presidential aide insisted the English tour will not be disturbed by the political developments.
Lakshman Kadirgamar told a news conference: "Everything that is humanly possible will be done to ensure that the tour goes on without any disturbances.
“I’d very much like that the visit takes place and I hope that it will take place.”
Cricket is the top sport in this tropical island of 19 million people and the government has made elaborate arrangements for the tour.
“What is happening in our country right now is purely political and there is no security concern or ramification,” Illangakoon said.