Chennai business community appeal to send more Sri Lankans

The business and trader community at large in Chennai had observed that the activities of some extremists groups in Tamil Nadu, had caused a hindrance of Sri Lankans visiting the state and that had been detrimental to their business.

 Therefore they have appealed to the head of the Edgmore Maha Bodhi Temple Ven. Kalawane Mahanama Thera to make arrangements for more Sri Lankan pilgrims to visit Tamil Nadu and Chennai in India.

 They have also told Ven. Mahanama Thera that the absence of Sri Lankan pilgrims in Chennai had badly affected their business for they were heavily dependent on the goodwill and patronage of Sri Lankans visiting Indian soil.

 “Apart from those who come on pilgrimage, there were others who visit Tamil Nadu, India for business and medical reasons. This has compelled those who normally go for medical treatment here to go to Karnataka and Andra Pradesh for this purpose. Students who have been following courses in Tamil Nadu have gone on transfer to educational institutions elsewhere,” the delegates of the business community had told the Ven. Thera.

 “The non-visits of Sri Lankans to Tamil Nadu had cased economic loss to the garment industry and a number of garment manufacturers have cut down on their labour force, “ the Thera had observed.

 The absence of Sri Lankan pilgrims and visitors has also badly affected taxi and three wheeler drivers as well.

“The situation is peaceful now and these isolated incidents are a thing of the past. Any Sri Lankan could now move freely on the streets of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Students can go back to their respective universities and business is as usual,” they had informed the Thera.

 “Police Commissioner George Sebastian has joined hands with the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi in Egmore and a large number of Police personnel have been detailed to ensure peace and security in the areas. The number of facilities for visitors have also been improved and increased,” Ven. Mahanama Thera had further emphasised.