COLOMBO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A group of monks staged a protest outside the Indian High Commission in Colombo on Tuesday against the attack on Sri Lankan monks in southern India.
The monks demanded that the Indian government provide protection for Sri Lankan monks in southern India.
Meanwhile addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the National Sangha Council which consists of leading Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka, called for a ban on Sri Lankans traveling to the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The Venerable Dombagoda Sarananda Thero said that the Sangha Council vehemently condemns the attack on two Sri Lankan monks in Tamil Nadu.
The Sangha Council noted that the attack on the two monks was not the first time that Sri Lankans were attacked in India.
The monks recalled that on earlier occasions politicians and sportsmen also came under attack or were abused in India.
The Sangha Council also called for a ban on imports from Tamil Nadu as a mark of protest over the recent incidents.
Two Sri Lankan monks were assaulted in two separate incidents in south India over the past few days by groups angered over allegations of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.
Days after one monk was attacked in Tanjavur in southern India, another monk was assaulted on Monday at a railway station.
Meanwhile the Indian High Commission in Colombo on Monday said that India has noted with concern the recent incidents involving Sri Lankan citizens in Tamil Nadu.
It said that India, in consultation with the concerned state governments, has taken and will continue to take all measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Sri Lankan visitors to India, including to Tamil Nadu.
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