Envoy expresses concern over Chennai attack

8 August 2011 09:00 pm Views - 4694

Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner V. Krishnamoorthy said yesterday he expressed his concerns to the Tamil Nadu Police about the recent attack on 74 Sri Lankan pilgrims.

Three pilgrims were injured in the attack, which was alleged to have been carried out by a pro LTTE group last Thursday.

“I did not protest but expressed my concern about what happened in a diplomatic manner,” Mr. Krishnamoorthy said and added that he had also informed the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.

He said he spoke to Egmore police officials in Chennai and they had assured the safety of Sri Lankan pilgrims.

They had informed Mr. Krishnamoorthy that they had not asked any of the hotels to keep away Sri Lankan guests as reported in some of the Indian media.

At present some 1,000 Sri Lankan tourists are in Chennai and some 300 pilgrims in the Egmore Mahabodhi Centre. Mr. Krishamoorthy said the police were providing them security.

He said he was in touch with the Mahabodhi Centre’s Ven. Kalawane Mahanama Thera who had informed him that the Sri Lankan pilgrims at the centre were safe. (YP)