Tamil traders denounce pilgrim attack

by P.Krishnaswamy

Tamil businessmen of Indian origin denounced the intimidation faced Sri Lankan pilgrims in Tamil Nadu and too organised a protest demonstration, President of Colombo Traders' Association, Palaniyandy Sundaram told the Sunday Observer.

Their bitter experience during the three-decade long LTTE terrorism was threats, extortion and blackmailing of the hands of anti-social elements, but this ceased after LTTE was eradicated three years ago, Palaniyandy Sundaram said. Traders have been doing business peacefully since then.

However, the incidents like these reported from Tamil Nadu are likely to disrupt the normal and peaceful atmosphere Tamil Nadu does not seem to understand the repercussions that could be fall the Indian origin community here in Colombo, Sundaram said.

The 'peaceful protest march' on Thursday was staged to draw attention to the fact that there is a strong Indian origin business community in Colombo who import nearly 70 percent of food and textile items from Tamil Nadu.

Over 2,500 businessmen who closed their business establishments for the day and addressed a petition to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jeyaram and the leader of the main Opposition Muthuvel Karunanidi were handed over to the Indian High Commission, Sundaram said.