Kamal Haasan made two things clear on Sunday. That he would not participate in the upcoming International India Film Academy (IIFA) extravaganza in Colombo and he would not return his Padma Shri award.

Responding to a demand by a pro-Sri Lankan Tamil group, Kamal, who is also the FICCI Media Entertainment Business Conclave Chairman, said nothing would be achieved by returning the award, which was conferred on him by the Indian government.

Stating that FICCI Entertainment president and other office-bearers would not be present at the IIFA function to be held in Colombo in June, the actor also pointed out that it was not in the hands of bodies like FICCI to prevent corporates from carrying out business in Sri Lanka.

“Top office-bearers of FICCI, including its president, have acceded to my request to not attend the IIFA ceremony. They promised not to attend the business forum scheduled as part of the three-day event,” he said.

Kamal said he had never participated in an IIFA event and saw no justification to participate this time in Colombo. Earlier in the day, members of the pro-Tamil organisation held banners outside his residence and staged a protest.