Sri Lanka calls for Indian protection to Lankans

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka today asked India to provide necessary security to Lankan people and property there following continued protests especially in Tamil Nadu.

Karunathilake Amunugama, Lanka's Ministry of External Affairs' Secretary said Colombo has lodged a formal request with the Indian authorities in this connection.

Sri Lanka's concerns arose after two successive attacks against Buddhist monks and a group of pilgrims.

In Tamil Nadu's Tanjavur, a Lankan monk, who was a researcher of archaeology, came under attack last week while today at the Chennai central station another monk and a group of pilgrims were allegedly attacked.

Meanwhile, Champika Ranawaka, a Minister from JHU party told a press briefing here that the government must take the attacks more seriously.

He advocated banning Tamil Nadu origin travellers into Sri Lanka and insisted that Lankans must also be advised against travelling to the southern Indian state.

"We may have to take this step if the Tamil Nadu leaders continued to act foolishly so as to allow attacks against our citizens", Ranawaka, a key ally of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.