The Government of Sri Lanka has lifted the travel advisory it had issued on travel to 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,” said a statement from Sri Lankan Foreign office.
Referring to a speech made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo said: “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,” it said.
Following attacks on Sri Lankans visiting Tamil Nadu, in particular a group of Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting the Poornimatha Church in Thanjavur in early September 2012, Sri Lanka issued 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 release issued on Tuesday, stated.
