Efforts to ensure smooth visits for Sinhalese: CM

PTI
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa inaugurating the various welfare schemes at Government function in Srirangam on Thursday 
Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday defended her action of sending home a Sri Lankan college football team, indicating that it was a symbolic gesture to express opposition to the delay in Tamils getting justice but said her government is “determined” to ensure that Sinhalese visiting the state as tourists and pilgrims don’t face any difficulty.

“I banned Sri Lankan football players from being trained in Tamil Nadu to express the state’s opposition and sentiments as Lankan Tamils have not received justice so far,” she said claiming this had drawn her praise from Tamils the world over.

“However, my government is determined and working to ensure Sinhalese visiting the state as tourists and pilgrims do not face any difficulty,” she said at a function in Srirangam.

On Sept 3, over 150 Sri Lankan pilgrims on a visit to a holy shrine faced protests from local pro-Tamil outfits who allegedly attacked their convoy, forcing their early return, a day after Ms Jayalalithaa had ordered sending back home a Lankan football team.

Her action came against the backdrop of her consistent opposition to India training Sri Lankan military personnel, saying that nation’s forces had committed war crimes against Tamils.

Ms Jayalalithaa’s arch rival DMK chief M Karunanidhi had flayed her action, saying his party was not averse to India’s cultural and sporting ties with Sri Lanka, but to training of Lankan defence personnel by India.

Taking a dig at Mr Karunanidhi, she said while he had not questioned Centre on matters that were against Tamils, he was, however, slamming her action aimed at Tamils’ welfare.