CHENNAI, September 5, 2012 | The Hindu
S. Vijay Kumar
R.K.M.A. Rajakaruna
Attacks targeting Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu are an attempt to sabotage
Indo-Sri Lankan relationship and disrupt basic human interaction between
citizens of the two countries, R.K.M.A. Rajakaruna, Deputy High Commissioner of
Sri Lanka in southern India, said on Tuesday.
Visits by Sri Lankan teams to the State on invitation for friendly
matches were in vogue for years and only demonstrated the fact that people of
both the countries were keen to interact.
“Such interactions are based on the goodwill between the people. The
relationship between the Madras Boat Club and the Colombo Rowing Club is 115
years old. The competitions are played in the spirit of brotherhood and
friendship. Amid this, these small groups [apparently referring to the
protesters in Tamil Nadu] are raising harsh slogans and levelling all kinds of
allegations against the Sri Lankan Government, its leadership and people … they
are trying to disrupt natural processes,” he told The Hindu.
Referring to Sri Lankan pilgrims being targeted, he said two officials
of the Commission sent to assist them had confirmed that the buses transporting
them were attacked in Tiruchi. “This happened despite the presence of police
personnel who were escorting the three buses. Some pilgrims suffered minor
injuries … women and children were horrified at the attack.”
The Deputy High Commissioner said that he hoped to meet Chief Minister
Jayalalithaa and Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi to discuss safety
concerns. “While appreciating the security provided by the Tamil Nadu Police, I
cannot rule out the possibility of an incident, considering the happenings in
the last two days.”
Following the travel advisory given to the people of Sri Lanka against
visiting Tamil Nadu, Mr. Rajakaruna said efforts were on to create a database
of Sri Lankan citizens living in the State. “We have made an appeal asking them
to register in the office of the Deputy High Commissioner. The Ministry of
External Affairs, Sri Lanka, is in constant touch with the High Commission in
New Delhi and Deputy High Commission in Chennai to assess the situation.”
Replying to a question on the steps taken to help Sri Lankan Tamil
refugees settled in camps across the State to return to the island nation, Mr.
Rajakaruna said helping refugees to return home was a priority area for Sri
Lanka. “They are our citizens and we certainly want to take them back to Sri
Lanka. We have instructions to assist them in documentation works. Sri Lanka is
ready to receive them as its citizens and help them integrate with the
mainstream of society.”
