Notwithstanding the protests by political parties of Tamil Nadu, MP government has decided to welcome Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the world heritage site of Sanchi on September 21.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is slated to lay the foundation stone of a proposed Buddhist studies university. Several Tamil groups like Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) hold the Sri Lankan state responsible for the massacre of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Director general of police (DGP), Nandan Dubey told HT that security arrangements for the Sri Lankan president's visit would be very tight. “Rajapaksa has top level security and Government of India would also send directives in due course. He would also have his own security detail with him,” he said. He further said that adequate arrangements would be made for security, given the political scenario in Tamilnadu and opposition to Rajapaksa's visit.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko has said that he would lead a black flag protest at Sanchi in case the government goes ahead with Rajapaksa's visit to Sanchi. DMK president M Karunanidhi has also opposed Rajapaksa's visit.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had invited Rajapaksa for the event. Sanchi falls under the Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency that Swaraj represents in Parliament.
{{/usCountry}}Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had invited Rajapaksa for the event. Sanchi falls under the Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency that Swaraj represents in Parliament.
{{/usCountry}}Recently, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa had sent back a football team from Sri Lanka that had come to play friendly matches in Tamil Nadu.
Other dignitaries that are likely to attend the inauguration of the study centre at Sanchi are the Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigme Yoser Thinley, princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and some prominent Buddhist monks from Myanmar.