The Sri Lankan government today issued a travel warning against those visiting Tamil Nadu in India, in the wake of recent events of intimidation towards Sri Lankan nationals visiting the Southern Indian state for religious and tourist purposes.

The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry said that “the Government of Sri Lanka is constrained to request Sri Lankan nationals in the interest of their security to desist from undertaking visits to Tamil Nadu until further notice.”

It also said, “During the course of yesterday 184 Lankan pilgrims visiting the Poornimatha Church in Thanjavur have been mobbed and taken refuge in the church. The Government of Sri Lanka has taken all steps required through the Indian Government to seek the safety of these pilgrims. The Government of Sri Lanka regrets the increasing number of instances of intimidation on Sri Lankan nationals visiting Tamil Nadu for the purposes of tourism, religious pilgrimages, sporting and cultural activities and professional training. These visits are a reflection of people to people contact between the polity of two countries which are bound by the age old friendly ties and traditions.”

However, the Ministry said travel to all other states in India was safe for Sri Lankans.

The Ministry of External Affairs requests that in the event of a compelling visit Tamil Nadu, such a visit should take place following prior timely intimation to the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai, contact details of which are as follows:

Address: No 56, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034.
Office Telephone Numbers:  0091 44 28247896, 0091 44 28252612 and 0091 44 28241047
Fax Nos: 0091 44 28241894 and 0091 44 28254242
E-mail Address: sldehico@md3.vsnl.net.in

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)