"The Government of Sri Lanka regrets the increasing number of instances of intimidation of Sri Lankan nationals visiting Tamil Nadu for the purposes of tourism, religious pilgrimages, sporting and cultural activities and professional training," the External Affairs Ministry said here in a statement.
The Government of Sri Lanka is constrained to request Sri Lankan nationals in the interest of their security to desist from undertaking visits to Tamil Nadu until further notice, the statement said.
In the event there is a compelling reason to visit Tamil Nadu, such a visit should take place following prior timely intimation to the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai, the statement added.
The ministry said 184 Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting the Poornimatha Church in Thanjavur have been mobbed today and taken refuge in the church.
Yesterday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa ordered sending back a Sri Lankan football team home and suspension of a state official for allowing them to play a friendly match in Chennai.
She was also against India training Lankan military personnel, saying the island nation`s forces had committed war crimes against Tamils.