As political parties in Tamil Nadu continue to raise the pitch on not allowing Sri Lankans armed forces to train in India or force the early return of football teams from the state to their home country, India on Tuesday assured that it will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Sri Lankans in the country.
The Sri Lankans issued a travel advisory on Monday asking citizens not to visit Tamil Nadu until further notice in the wake of 'increasing number of instances of intimidation' of Sri Lankans there.
The anti-Sri Lanka rhetoric being whipped up by political parties in Tamil Nadu led to an attack on Sri Lankan pilgrims in the state for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.
According to reports, Sri Lankan pilgrims on board three buses were targeted while they were travelling to the Tiruchirapalli airport.
Ironically, while these pilgrims are being targeted for being Sinhala and with so-called activists shouting slogans like 'Sinhalese go back' at them, it’s learnt that these pilgrims are actually Sri Lankan Tamils.
Official spokesperson in the ministry of external affairs, Syed Akbaruddin said on Tuesday, “I wish to convey here 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 well-being of Sri Lankan dignitaries and visitors to India, including to Tamil Nadu.”