Sri Lanka lauds India’s move to step up security at its HC

Sri Lanka has appreciated India’s swift action to strengthen security around its mission in New Delhi, which was stormed by a Tamil outfit’s activists who pelted stones at the building and ransacked its premises.

Its appreciation was conveyed by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to his Indian counterpart S M Krishna, who telephoned him after the incident at the Sri Lankan High Commission.

Mr. Krishna assured Mr. Bogollagama that steps had been taken to strengthen security at Colombo’s High Commission and that action will be taken against those responsible for Friday’s incident, it said.

“The Foreign Minister thanked Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna for the telephone call and stated that he appreciated the gesture” and steps taken by India, a Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry statement said on Saturday.

Around 40 activists of ‘Puthiya Tamizhagam’ based in Tamil Nadu entered the High Commission premises on Friday afternoon, protesting against firing by Sri Lankan navy on Indian fishermen. They ran into the premises shouting slogans and pelted stones at the building in which some window panes were broken.

After the incident, the Indian government said the law enforcement agencies have swung into action and security around the High Commission premises has been strengthened.

Keywords: Sri Lanka, High Commission, Puthiya Tamizhagam, Tamil outfit, Rohitha Bogollagama