Following
a series of unfortunate incidents faced by Sri Lankans visiting Tamil
Nadu, in particular a group of Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting the
Poornimatha Church in Thanjavur in early September 2012, the Government
of Sri Lanka was compelled to issue a travel advisory for Sri Lankan
nationals visiting the state of Tamil Nadu.
The
Government of Sri Lanka views these incidents as an aberration, and
acknowledges that Sri Lanka nationals numbering approximately 200,000
who visit India every year are received warmly in India, including in
Tamil Nadu.
The
Government of Sri Lanka is pleased that the Government of India, in
close consultation with the concerned state governments, has taken and
will continue to take all measures to ensure the safety, security and
wellbeing of Sri Lankan dignitaries and visitors to all parts of India
including Tamil Nadu.
People-to-people
contact plays an important role in the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka
relationship, especially in further promoting historical, cultural and
political ties as well as economic and business relations. The
Government of Sri Lanka is of the view that this age-old natural process
of interaction between our two peoples must flourish, unhindered.
In
this context, the Government of Sri Lanka appreciates the comment made
by the Hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu that the state government of
Tamil Nadu is determined to ensure that Sri Lankan visitors to Tamil
Nadu are not harmed in any way.
The Government of Sri Lanka has received a large number of requests to lift the Travel Advisory.
The Government of Sri Lanka believes that the Travel Advisory is no longer required.
Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
