Feb 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya visiting a Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu was forced to cancel his visit and return to the country today, Indian media reported.

Jayasuriya Wednesday night has arrived in the town of Thirukkadaiyur in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu on a pilgrimage to the Lord Amirthakadeswara temple.

However, the pro-Eelam Tamil groups learned of his presence in the town have gathered Thursday morning outside his hotel and protested his visit demanding him to leave immediately.

Activists of DMK, BJP, MDMK, PMK, VCK, Naam Thamizhar Iyakkam shouted slogans against him and demanded him to go back immediately, the PTI news agency reported.

Authorities have deployed a large number of policemen to quell the tension brewing in the area.

According to reports quoting Temple sources, Jayasuriya did not visit the shrine and returned home.

Sri Lankan media meanwhile reported that the protest was not against Jayasuriya but against the Sri Lankan government. Reportedly the protestors have received information that a Sri Lankan government 'minister' was visiting the state and staged the protest.