Adequate security for Lankan properties in India - Amunugama
CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE
Indian authorities have provided security to Sri Lankan state
properties, business establishments and homes of Sri Lankan nationals in
Chennai following Thursday’s attack on the Bank of Ceylon Chennai branch
by a group of unidentified men in masks, External Affairs Ministry
Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama told the Daily News yesterday.
This is the second mob attack Sri Lankan nationals faced in Tamil
Nadu following an incident in September last year,
where 180 Christian pilgrims from Sri Lanka came under attack by a
group of protectors who carried LTTE flags and pictures of Velupillay
Prabhakaran.
They attacked five tour buses the pilgrims were traveling in after
visiting the famous Velankanni Christian shrine. The situation prompted
External Affairs Ministry in Colombo to issue a travel advisory against
Tamil Nadu, which was later lifted following close consultation with the
Indian Center.
The assurance given by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalitha to
ensure the safety of Sri Lankan visitors to the state government of
Tamil Nadu after the incident , was one reason among others that the
government lifted its travel advisory against Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry officials yesterday expressed
their concern that the Monday's attack on Bank of Ceylon branch in
Chennai has occurred in the aftermath of recent statements made by US
state officials that they will bring another procedural resolution
against Sri Lanka, and recent announcements made by Tamil National
Alliance to media that they are preparing a report against the Sri
Lankan Government requesting institution of an international body to
probe alleged violation of war crimes in Sri Lanka.
These sources alerted the country to the stratagem that certain
elements with anti- Sri Lankan sentiments trying to cause communal
unrest in the country by way of giving vent to incidents of the nature
as such that has occurred in Chennai.
Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa left for Buddhagaya yesterday morning
accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Secretary to the
President Lalith Weerathunga, Head of Presidential Task Force Gamini
Senarath and MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardenena. They were warmly received by
Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumarat at Bodhgaya Airport.
ExternalAffairs Ministry Secretary Amunugama said on being asked by
us, if the ministry considered issuing a travel advisory against Tamil
Nadu over the Monday's attack on the Bank of Ceylon branch in Chennai,
there is no such consideration.
"The situation has been brought under control after the incident," he
said. The attack had taken place at 1.30 pm.
"We have taken up the matter with our Indian counterpart in the
Indian Center," he said, "Our Deputy Commissioner in Chennai informed us
that Indian state authorities have extended their fullest co-operation
to tighten security in Sri Lankan state institutions and business
estblishment following the incident."
The Bank of Ceylon Chennai branch, two storeyed building at Jarret
Gardens 2nd Avenue, Casa Major Road, was attacked by an unidentified
group of people that had come in three wheelers and motor bicycles, said
Amumnugama.
"We have received a report on the incident from Sri Lankan High
Commission in Chennai. The mobsters have attacked Sri Lankan nationals
and Indian nationals who work at the Bank," he said.
"They have damaged the office building including its front glass at
the entrance. Two workers had been admitted to hospital due to cut
injuries. One of them is a Sri Lankan, Three Indian nationals attached
to the bank suffered injuries during the attack,"he said.
"I asked Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai to assist the
injured persons." "I also spoke to Bank of Ceylon Branch Manager in
Chennai, who said the Indian police have brought the situation under
control and that they have tightened security in the bank. Indian police
have arrested some suspects involved in the incident. At least 20
suspects have been arrested in this connection already," he said.
He said he asked the Deputy High Commissioner'soffice to get the
assistance of all security agencies in Chennai to provide adequate
security to all the government establishments, that include Sri Lankan
Airlines office and High Commissioner's Office and to Sri Lankans living
in Chennai.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi has been asked
to lodge a complaint at
Indian Foreign Affairs Ministry in Delhi requesting security for Sri
Lankan public in India, Amunugama added..
Indian police have arrested some suspects involved in the incident.
At least 20 suspects have been arrested in this connection already," he
said. |