Indo-Lanka ties not affected by protests, assures President

Demonstrations carried out by extremist Tamil political parties in India will not affect the cordial bilateral relationship that exists between India and Sri Lanka, assured President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the course of his two-day personal visit to India.

Responding to questions from Indian media during his visit to the Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati on Saturday, the President said his visit to India was purely a religious visit and the protests staged against his visit would not in any way affect the historic relationship between the two countries.

He further said that India was the world’s largest democracy and the people in India had the right to hold protests.

He told the media that the Sri Lankan Government had spent a large amount of money for the development of the war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces, where a majority of Tamils live, to provide equal opportunities and equal facilities for all communities in the country.

He invited the Indian media personnel to visit Sri Lanka to obtain a firsthand knowledge about the actual situation in the country.

Officials of the famous Hindu Temple in Tirumala welcomed the President and his entourage, Indian media reported. President Rajapaksa accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated in an early morning ritual at the Hindu temple on Saturday.

The President visited Bodhgaya in Bihar on Friday and paid homage to the Mahabodhi Temple amid protests staged by the pro-Eelam Tamil parties in the state of Tamil Nadu. The Bihar Chief Minister hosted the President and dignitaries for lunch and saw off the President at the airport.

During his visit the Indian Government provided heavy security to President Rajapaksa. Indian authorities have arrested over 900 people who staged demonstrations against the President’s visit.

Following his visit to the Hindu temple in Tirupati on Saturday, the President and his entourage returned to Sri Lanka amid tight security.

Indian media reported that the road from Tirumala Hills to the Renigunta airport was closed for traffic and security was beefed up along the route.