Sept 17, Colombo: A trade delegation from Tamil Nadu state of India is due to arrive in Sri Lanka on Thursday for a four-day visit, according to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The 45-member trade delegation consisting of the Executive members of the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TNCCI) in Madurai will be in the island to explore ways to improve trade relations between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu.

The TNCCI delegation will arrive in Colombo on board the first international flight of the budget carrier Spice Jet that will start services between Madurai and Colombo on September 20.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has said that the visit is aimed at enhancing the bilateral trade relations between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

The visit of the trade delegation take place despite the hostile sentiments of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and pro-LTTE Tamil parties in the state towards Sri Lanka and its people.

The Chief Minister, who was irate over the Indian government's refusal to send back the Sri Lankan defence personnel receiving training in the state, last month ordered to send back two Sri Lankan high school soccer teams who were in the Tamil Nadu state to play friendly matches.

Following on the heels of that incident, pro-LTTE Tamil party activists attacked a group of Sri Lankan pilgrims attending a Christian shrine in the state.

The attack prompted the Sri Lankan government to issue a travel warning for its citizens against travelling to the Indian state.

The TNCCI deplored the attack and appealed Sri Lanka to withdraw the travel advisory it has issued warning that business, trade and tourism between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu will suffer.