Rajinikanth cancels Sri Lanka visit, but disagrees with TN politicians

Chennai: Tamil actor Rajinikanth, stung by criticism of his plan to attend an event in Jaffna, northern Sri Lanka, of handing over the keys of
150 homes to Tamils there on April 9, 2017.

Leaders of several Tamil parties had asked the actor not to attend the programme in Sri Lanka as the event was associated with Lyca
group, which has been opposed by some Tamil groups in Chennai. The release of some Tamil films produced by this group was also
opposed by these groups in the last few years, claiming that it had links with the Sri Lankan ruling party leaders blamed for the battle
with the LTTE.

The houses built by Gnanam Foundation had been named after Lyca Group chairman Subaskaran Allirajah’s mother. The houses
were constructed at a reported cost of Rs. 22 crore.

In a statement, Rajinikanth said he had agreed to visit Sri Lanka to see for himself the areas where the Tamils lived, and also the
places where many Tamils died in the battle in 2009.

Rajinikanth said he disagreed with the reasons given by VCK chief Thirumavalavan and MDMK chief Vaiko as to why he should not
take part in the event. However, Rajinikanth said he had decided to keep away.

Rajinikanth said he had earlier planned to meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and urge him to find a lasting solution to the
issues faced by fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

“I am not a politician, I am an artist. My job is to entertain people. In future, if I get a chance to visit Sri Lanka to witness the place of
the ‘holy war’, and to entertain the Tamil people, he should not be silenced”, he added.