Round-the-clock security for Lankan centres in TN

Round the clock armed security has been provided to Sri Lankan centres in Tamil Nadu amidst growing anti-Lankan sentiments there ahead of next week’s resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva.

Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner Ameer Ajwad, who is based in Chennai, said they had sought enhanced security due to the escalating tension.

Other than the Deputy High Commissioner’s office, the Maha Bodhi Society, the Bank of Ceylon and the SriLankan Airlines office were the main Sri Lankan establishments in Chennai, he said.

Mr. Ajwad said no Sri Lankans had been affected by the situation even though several groups of pilgrims had faced harassment in the recent past.

Mr. Ajward said security personnel were also monitoring the situation to ensure that Sri Lankans living and working there were not harmed

But reports said a Sri Lankan student monk pursuing archaeological studies in a Delhi University was roughed up by protestors at the famous Big Temple in

Thanjavur yesterday.

He was rescued by the police and 12 people belonging to antiSri Lankan parties such as the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Naam Tamizhar Katchi were arrested over the incident.

The monk was part of a 19member student team conducting archaeological research at the temple. The Tamil Nadu State government has decided to close all schools and colleges indefinitely as many school children have been part of the anti Sri Lankan protests.