TN Chamber of Commerce concerned over attack on Sri Lankans
The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) in Madurai
has urged the Indian government to check the attack on visiting Sri
Lankan pilgrims since the travel advisory issued by Sri Lanka will
seriously affect the tourism and trade to the state.
The TNCCI in a statement pointed out that India-Sri Lanka trade is
about $5 billion and exports to Lanka is eight times more than imports.
With a population of around two million Tamils in Sri Lanka, the
state’s opportunities for business growth and tourism development are
good and these despicable acts should not affect the ongoing business of
tourism and pilgrimage, the TNCCI said in its statement. “The image and
hospitality of Tamil Nadu people should not be allowed to be tarnished
by mindless harassment of foreign tourists.”
The trade body appealed to Sri Lanka to withdraw the travel advisory
it has issued.
The TNCCI, noting that the budget carrier Spice Jet will start
services between Madurai and Colombo from September 20 and it is the
first international flight from Madurai, expressed concern that the
attack on Sri Lankan pilgrims has the potential to cast Tamil Nadu in a
negative light and hurt the economic prospects.
Business, trade and tourism between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu will
suffer, the TNCCI warned.
The Chamber said it is taking a 50-member trade delegation “on the
first flight to Colombo to meet our counterparts to improve bilateral
trade and investment.”
“On no account, tourism and pilgrimage traffic between Tamil Nadu and
Sri Lanka should be disturbed,” the TNCCI said.
(Courtesy: www.defence.lk) |