Indo-Lanka relationship not affected by State Government actions – Govt.

The friendly relationship between India and Sri Lanka is not affected by the actions of State Governments or the incidents taken place in the Tamil Nadu state, the Government affirmed.

Sri Lankan Tamil shopkeepers protested in Colombo to condemn the attack on Sri Lankan pilgrims this week in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Some 184 Sri Lankan pilgrims were mobbed on Monday in Tamil Nadu and had to seek refuge in the church they were visiting. About 200 Tamil shopkeepers demonstrated yesterday near the Indian Embassy in Colombo, demanding Indian authorities ensure the safety of Sri Lankans visiting India – Pix by Upul Abayasekara

Government Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the friendship between Sri Lanka and India will not be affected as a result of the activities of State Governments and India has already taken measures to safeguard the cordial relations.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi Prasad Kariyawasam has also assured that the incidents that have taken place recently in Tamil Nadu do not hinder the friendship and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A group of 184 Sri Lankan pilgrims who were visiting a Christian shrine in Thanjavur came under attack by the pro-LTTE Tamil party activists in Tamil Nadu forcing the pilgrims to return after taking refuge in the church.

The buses taking the traumatised Sri Lankan pilgrims to the airport with Police escort were attacked again despite the presence of Tamil Nadu Police.

The High Commissioner while noting that the Central Government of India has always instructed the Tamil Nadu Police to provide the necessary protection to the Sri Lankans visiting the state, asked the Sri Lankans not to visit Tamil Nadu unless it is essential and in that event to inform the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner’s office in Chennai beforehand.