Trichy protests causes cancellation of SL student event

An event, part of a cultural exchange programme of Kalai Kaviri College in Trichy, has been cancelled after protestors demanded that the Sri Lankan participants be sent back.

54 students and 10 teachers from Sri Lanka came to participate in a programme on Thursday, but were told by college administrators to return to Sri Lanka as the programme had been cancelled.

Members of Naam Thamizhar Iyakkam protested outside the premises, shouting slogans against the Sri Lankan state and Mahinda Rajapakse.

The Times of India reported that the Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr Gandhi “blasted” the college principal’s ignorance.

"For you, it is merely a dance and song programme, but for us it is a perennial political headache," he is reported to have told her.

The principal said she had to pay a huge price for something which was not her fault.

"Had I known that this was such a serious issue, we would not have entertained the students at all," Dr Margaret Bastin, the principal of the college, told TOI.

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