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Extra security for Lankan interests in Tamil Nadu
View(s):Security has been beefed up for Sri Lankan interests in Tamil Nadu in view of continuing protests against an article and cartoon that appeared on the official website of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence. Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner Sabrullah Khan who is based in Chennai told the Sunday Times over the telephone that protests had continued throughout the week.
On August 2, a SriLankan Airlines office and a Sri Lankan-owned furniture shop were attacked by crowds protesting over what they saw as disrespectful portrayal of Tami Nadu Chief Minister Jeyaram Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the cartoon. The latest protest was on Friday by a group of disabled people demanding that the Sri Lankan Government should make a direct apology to Tamil Nadu over the offending cartoon.
An official of Damro, the Sri Lankan furniture chain which has 20 branches in Tamil Nadu, said one of their branches was attacked and their showrooms had been given extra security by the Tamil Nadu Police. He said sales had dropped over the past week and a senior official of the company was in Tamil Nadu to assess the security situation but it was too early to say whether any branch or branches would be closed.
Meanwhile Sri Lankan High Commissioner Sudharshan Seneviratne who was summoned by the Indian External Affairs Ministry over the article and cartoon told the Sunday Times that the Indian Government was satisfied with the apology given by the Defence Ministry. He said a joint secretary of the Indian EAM met him to express concern over the article and cartoon. Prof. Seneviratne said he also expressed concern over the security of Sri Lankans in India.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan tour operators said many people who were planning to visit the Tirupathi temple in South India had cancelled their bookings.