This was conveyed to Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam by the state’s Chief Secretary Ms S. Malathi when he met her in Chennai yesterday along with Chennai-based Deputy High Commissioner Vadivel Krishnamoorthy.

Thus, police personnel will now be deployed day and night to provide protection and security to Sri Lankan establishments and nationals in Chennai. Such establishments include the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission, the Maha Bodhi Centre, and the offices of SriLankan airline as well as the Bank of Ceylon.

Ambassador Kariyawasam told The Island that Ms Malathi conveyed to him the state government’s deep regrets over the unfortunate incident, regretting that the decision to deploy police personnel at Sri Lankan offices in Chennai was not taken earlier.

The Ambassador later visited the Maha Bodhi Centre and met the three injured monks who were treated in a hospital overnight and later discharged.