Lanka welcomes Canada’s WTM ban

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday welcomed the announcement of the Canadian Government yesterday to list the World Tamil Movement (WTM) as a terrorist organisation, under the Criminal Code of Canada. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation in this regard to his Canadian counterpart, the Foreign Ministry said.

Minister Bogollagama, commenting on the Canadian decision which became effective on June 13, noted with satisfaction the timely action against the World Tamil Movement underscored the determination of

the Canadian authorities to crack down effectively on front organisations which provide financial, material and moral support for terrorism.

He observed that this move against the WTM was tangible proof of the commitment of Canada to give practical meaning to its proscription of the LTTE in 2006.

The Foreign Minister urged Canada to pursue similar action against other known entities which are engaged in raising funds, ostensibly for charitable and benevolent purposes, but which are in fact transferred out of Canada through a sophisticated and intricate international financial network, to purchase weapons and warlike material to kill and maim innocent civilians in Sri Lanka.

Minister Bogollagama regretted that notwithstanding the listing of the LTTE by the European Union (EU), some member countries had permitted public demonstrations in open support of the LTTE. He pointed out that granting permission for such events went against the spirit of the EU’s stated policy of supporting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He called upon the international community to close ranks and take effective measures to prevent the LTTE and its front organizations which are operating with impunity on foreign soil, raising funds and engaging in propaganda glorifying terrorism.