Mr Pamuk has been "looking forward" to visiting Sri Lanka, say the organisers

The AFP news agency said the two internationally acclaimed writers have decided to boycott the event after the press freedom group RSF and Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) launched a joint appeal against their participation.

"Reporters Without Borders and JDS find it highly disturbing that literature is being celebrated in this manner in a land where cartoonists, journalists, writers and dissident voices are so often victimized by the current government," the two organisations said launching an appeal on Wednesday.

Indian visa

The appeal was signed by internationally renowned writers; Noam Chomsky, Arundathi Roy and Ken Loach, Antony Loewenstein and Tariq Ali.

	AFP news agency said the authors are responding to the boycott call

But the Festival founder Geoffrey Dobbs says their non-participation is due to Indian re-entry visa restrictions.

“We have been trying to resolve the issue with the Indian Immigration Authorities for the last three weeks but it has just not been possible,” a press release issued by Mr Dobbs said.

He says both Mr Pamuk and Miss Desai have expressed their regret and frustration over their inability to attend the Festival.

Meanwhile, Louis de Bernieres has rescheduled his visit to coincide with the main Festival, say organisers.

The Festival to be held from 26 January in Galle, southern Sri Lanka.