Actor Rajinikanth who has cancelled his scheduled visit to Jaffna in Sri Lanka issued a statement on Saturday announcing his decision.
Responding to objections raised by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko, Mr. Rajinikanth said that he wanted to visit northern regions of Sri Lanka to breathe the same air and see those places where thousands of Tamils, who lost their lives fighting for a just cause, had lived for many years during the civil war.
“I agreed to participate in this event because I was eager to meet my fellow Tamils and speak freely with them. I was also eager to meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and impress upon him the need to find a lasting solution to the Tamil fishermen crisis,” said Mr. Rajinikanth.
He further said that while he has decided to cancel his trip, he did not completely agree with the objections raised by the two leaders. Appealing to the political leaders, Mr. Rajinikanth said, “I am an artiste and am not a politician. If I do decide to visit northern parts of Sri Lanka in future, please don’t turn it into a political issue.”
Earlier, Mr. Thirumavalavan said that Rajinikanth was being used to fool the world that all was fine in Sri Lanka after the civil war in 2009. “Artists should only entertain people. We request Rajinikanth not to earn Tamil people’s wrath by participating in this event.” Various political leaders have welcomed Rajinikanth’s decision to cancel his Sri Lanka trip.
