Date:21/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/21/stories/2008112155150400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Wickremesinghe offers prayers at temple

Special Correspondent

— Photo: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wicremesinghe arriving at a temple at Thirukollikadu in Tiruvarur district on Thursday.

TIRUVARUR: Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe offered prayers at the ‘Pongu Saneeswarar’ Temple in Thirukollikadu village in Tiruvarur district on Thursday.

Mr.Wickremesinghe, who was received with temple honours, spent about 50 minutes at the temple. Security was tight in view of his visit.

Black flag demo

About 20 cadres belonging to the Communist Party of India (CPI) were whisked away by the police when they attempted to show black flags as Mr. Wickremesinghe was passing through Tiruvarur town towards Thirukollikadu village. Another group of CPI volunteers, who attempted to show black flags at Needamangalam, were also secured. They were later released.

Earlier, Mr.Wickremesinghe arrived at the Tiruchi airport by a scheduled aircraft and drove down to Tiruvarur.