Dated Panguni 15 Thursday (28 March 2024)
From
Maravanpulavu K Sachithananthan
Siva senai
Koyilaar Valavu
Maravanpulavu Chavakachcheri
To
Hon. Harin Fernando
Minister for Tourism
Government of Sri Lanka
Honourable Sir,
I am writing on behalf of the vast majority of peace-loving Hindus in Sri Lanka.
HINDU PILGRIMS FROM INDIA
Few weeks ago, Mr L. Ilangovan, the then Sri Lankan Presidential coordinating secretary for the North, now Chief Secretary, Northern Provincial Council, telephoned me.
He told me of the economic recovery measures taken by your government. One measure he told me would be to induce pilgrimage travel of Hindu tourists from Northern and Southern India to Hindu places of worship in Sri Lanka.
He sought my cooperation, since he was told, of my familiarity among Hindu organisations in Northern and Southern India.
Hindus in India are travelling in pilgrimage to places outside India. The present boom in the Indian economy and the relaxation of foreign currency exchange regulations are boosting these pilgrimages.
Hon. Governor of the Northern Province also have been speaking about this publicly in the recent past.
I have promised to those in your government, that I will do my best to facilitate Hindu pilgrimages, in large groups, to places of worship in Sri Lanka.
I am now in India. I am talking to Hindu organisations and groups in India. The response is very positive.
HESITANT INDIAN HINDU PILGRIMS
However few incidents in Sri Lanka, highlighted internationally, have come to the notice of prospective Indian tourists.
1. The
political protests through poster campaigns and demonstrations in Southern Sri
Lanka are raising the eyebrows of potential Hindu pilgrimage tour operators. https://www.facebook.com/
2. The
police action at Vedukkunaari malai Shiva temple on the holy Maha Shivaratri
day, the violent closing of the pooja ceremony, the desecration of the pooja
area, and the arrest of the priest along with devotees. https://www.tamilguardian.com/
3. The
statement by the Deputy Minister for Internal Security Hon. Tiran Alles,
justifying police action at Vedukkunaari malai Shiva temple, in the parliament.
https://ibctamil.com/article/
4. The
demonstration of Buddhist priests at Trincomalee protesting the re-construction
of the Shiva temple. https://www.
I also listened with
admiration, your statement in the parliament, on Indo Sri Lanka friendship,
corporation and your keenness in promoting tourism including Hindu pilgrimages
from India. https://www.adaderana.lk/news/
I am in India. I am speaking to potential Hindu pilgrim groups from the northern India.
They are hesitant. They are prudent enough to visualise the potential hazards that they may undergo during their pilgrimage.
As a successful tourism promotion minister, you will understand the mind of a Hindu pilgrim, whose pilgrimage is in search of mental peace and spiritual tranquillity.
The sequence of events I have mentioned before, are impediments.
It is the duty to of your government to keep Buddhist extremism and its anti-Hindu expressiveness under maximum control.
I wish to bring your kind notice, the Hindu protest demonstration at Janta Mandir near the Parliament house in Delhi during July 2023, when the Archaeology department of the Government of Sri Lanka tried unduly to project itself into the affairs of the Shiva temple at Trincomalee. Please see (Hindi) news clippings.
If it is your interest to revive the Sri Lankan economy through Hindu Pilgrimage tourism, it is best to prevent such sentimental expressions by fellow Hindus in Northern India on actions and events in Sri Lanka, consequential to anti-Hindu Buddhist extremism.
Thanking you
Yours Sincerely
Maravanpulavu K. Sachithananthan
On behalf of peace loving Hindus in Sri Lanka
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