"About 97% of the top stars have confirmed their participating in the forthcoming International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA)," said Deputy Minister for Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

"Some small group in Tamil Nadu is bringing pressure on some stars dissuading them from attending the IIFA," he said.

Members of the Tamil community staged a protest in India on Sunday against Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s proposed visit to Sri Lanka for IIFA awards ceremony.

“We tried to give him a letter which he did not accept and said that he will attend the award function", said Sharvana, a protestor.

The three day IIFA event beginning June 3 will also include a business forum, fashion show and a charity cricket match involving Indian and Sri Lankan movie and cricket stars such as Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Hrithik Roshan and Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the International Indian Film Awards Joseph Sabhash said the event will lead to massive development in Sri Lanka.

The country will be able to enhance its multinational relationships through this festival, he told the Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation. It will also pave the way for more foreign investment in the island.

Meanwhile, IIFA Ambassador to Sri Lanka actress Jacqueline Fernandez has said this film festival is very important to the country. All measures have been finalised to hold it in grand scale.

IIFA business forum will be declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the festival, the SLBC reported adding this will help enhance trade ties between Sri Lanka and India.