In the wake of an attack on the Bank of Ceylon branch in Chennai, the Sri Lanka government today requested New Delhi to provide security to Sri Lankans living in India as well as the Sri Lankan establishments there.

 

Issuing a statement the external affairs ministry said that “The Ministry of External Affairs requested the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi to seek the assistance of the Government of India in providing security to other Sri Lankan establishments such as Maha Bodhi Society, Sri Lankan Airlines and to all other Sri Lankans living in India in the wake of the attack,” Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs said, in a statement released on Friday.

 

It also said that a  mob  of  around 15 people , carrying iron  rods, wooden sticks  and knives had entered  the  office of the  Bank of Ceylon Branch  at Poonamallee High Road  in Chennai at 1.30 p.m. on 7th February 2013. The mob had  overpowered  two police personnel  and a security guard  of a private company  manning  the gate  of  the premises, smashed  the window panels  of the security  room  of the  Bank of Ceylon Office  and the glass doors  of the ATM  centre  and had injured  a staff member  of the Bank  and  caused  cut injuries  to a  trainee .

 

The two injured bank  staff  were admitted  to  Kilpauk  Medical Collage  Hospital  (MMC, Kilpauk) in  Chennai  and are  out of danger.

 

The release noted that the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai has taken steps to contact the police authorities and security is maintained at the Bank of Ceylon premises.