Protests force Lanka pilgrims to flee

Anti-Sri Lankan sentiments were fanned on Tuesday after fringe pro-Tamil groups stepped up protests against the arrival of Sinhalese pilgrims to Catholic shrines at Vailankanni and Poondi in Tamil Nadu since Monday.

Anti-Sri Lankan sentiments were fanned on Tuesday after fringe pro-Tamil groups stepped up protests against the arrival of Sinhalese pilgrims to Catholic shrines at Vailankanni and Poondi in Tamil Nadu since Monday.

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Some buses ferrying Sinhalese tourists were attacked with stones when the pilgrims were on their way to Tiruchirapalli to fly back home after cutting their visits short. No one was injured and nobody was arrested, the police said.

Pro-Tamil groups are also protesting against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's proposed visit to India later this month.

Tuesday's protests came two days after Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa on Sunday ordered that two Lankan football teams to play friendly matches be sent back to their country.

Following the reports of violence, the police intervened and escorted the pilgrims to Tiruchirapalli airport from where they were to fly to Colombo by a special flight on Tuesday night.

The Lankan government issued a travel advisory to its nationals on Monday asking them to avoid visiting Tamil Nadu.