Indians from Tamil Nadu have requested permission to participate in the annual Kachchatheivu Festival. Originally 20 pilgrims were given permission . Later on request was made to increase the number . After considering the request President Maithripala has increased it to 100 personnel . Authority letter was handed over by the President to CWC leader cum Nuwaraeliya MP Arumugam Thondaman, . This letter in turned was handed over to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam by Uva Province Council Minister Senthil Thondaman.