CHENNAI, July 13, 2013: Sri Lankan pilgrims have begun to trickle back to the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society on Kenneth Lane in the city. They had stopped coming to the country after the July 7 blasts at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.

Sri Lankan deputy high commissioner to India A Sabarullah Khan on Friday said his government had issued a statement to pilgrims who wished to visit India, informing them that the shrine was open to the public.

After the explosions in Bodh Gaya, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a statement condemning the blasts and Colombo issued an advisory against visiting India. But a statement by the Sri Lankan foreign ministry on Wednesday said it was now safe for pilgrims to visit India.

"The Mahabodhi Temple is once again open to the public. The Government of India and the state of Bihar, in consultation with the Temple Management Committee, have established a security system that will provide for the safety and security of all pilgrims to the Mahabodhi Temple," the statement said.

The high commission of Sri Lanka in India said it wished to inform Sri Lankans that they may now resume pilgrimage to the Bodh Gaya temple.

Amitaruci Ranasinghe, a pilgrim who arrived in the city on Friday, said, "We are pilgrims and peace-loving people. Politics should never be mixed with religion anywhere. We love India and Indians and are here to spread love and peace."

Diplomatic sources said two batches with a total of 200 pilgrims are expected to arrive in the city next week.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 13, 2013.