India assures Sri Lankans of safety

India has assured safety of Sri Lankans both currently in Tamil Nadu as well as those intending to travel there. In response to a media query on the travel advisory issued by Sri Lanka, the Official Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs said,

“We have noted the travel advisory that has been issued by the Government of Sri Lanka for its nationals visiting the state of Tamil Nadu. I wish to convey here 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 well-being of Sri Lankan dignitaries and visitors to India, including to Tamil Nadu. In certain instances, it has been noticed that important visits have taken place without prior intimation to the concerned authorities,” the spokesman said.

“I find it important to emphasise here that people-to-people contacts are an integral part of the close historical, cultural, ethnic and civilisational ties between India and Sri Lanka. Our High Commission in Colombo issued visas to nearly 200,000 Sri Lankan nationals to visit India last year, while approximately 175,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2011. It is this perspective that guides all our actions on such matters,” the spokesman added.