Countering LTTE Diaspora :

Greater involvement needed - WAPS Coordinator

Chaminda PERERA

Coordinator of the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) Jivinda De Silva said the Government should fully involve itself in countering the LTTE's sophisticated disinformation machine overseas.

Jivinda De Silva, a Sri Lankan who has been living in the United States for more than 3 decades said the pro LTTE elements in the US were among the main fundraisers of the Hillary and Obama campaigns.

He was speaking at a seminar organized by the WAPS at the BMICH under the theme of Continuing Struggle with the LTTE diaspora and their sympathizers abroad.

Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Naga Viharaya Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Provincial Minister Udaya Gammanpila, Provincial Councillor and former Senior DIG P.G. Kotakadeniya and members of academia were present.

"We have eradicated the might of LTTE's military power but by no means we should assess that the struggle against the LTTE is over", he said.

De Silva said the American Envoy in Sri Lanka was taken for a ride by the LTTE sympathizers to propose the Government to let the LTTE surrender to a third party.

It is hilarious for an envoy of a country that has listed the LTTE as a terrorist organization to clamour for the LTTE. This particular envoy will replace Richard Boucher if the Senate approves his appointment.

He said Sri Lankan missions overseas and organizations formed by patriot Sri Lankans against LTTE terrorism and the individual Sri Lankans domiciled in foreign countries should be fully involved in countering the threat posed by the LTTE Diaspora. "There are instances that demonstrations launched by the LTTE Diaspora in the United States and elsewhere have turned violent. Several Sinhala students studying in universities were brutally assaulted by the pro LTTE elements," he said.

He said there is ample evidence that the LTTE has a strong bond with AlQaeda as well as illegal arms purchasers.

They have hired lobbyists to voice their opinion against the Sri Lankan government, he said.

Several Senators who voiced their anger and displeasure over the LTTE atrocities in Sri Lanka and its clandestine operations in the States are now supporting the LTTE. These Senators were paid well by the LTTE Diaspora in the States, he said.

Dr. Pyasena Dissanayake said the circumstances in which the 13th Amendment to the Constitution came into being is shrouded in secrecy. Former President J.R. Jayewardene lacking courage and a sound foreign policy succumbed to Indian pressure to implement the 13th Amendment.

Dissanayake was delivering his address on Implication of the 13th Amendment with regard to Land Alienation.

"The Chief Ministers of all Provincial Councils except the Northern Provincial Council met the President after Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan was elected to the post of Eastern Province Chief Minister and demanded police and land powers.

Brigadier Hiran N Halangoda on the "Future security of Sri Lanka" said the country requires an immediate review of our national security strategy by teams of security analysts and independent think-tanks.

Dr. Shanaka Jayasekera in a video presentation gave a detailed report about the LTTE network, fundraising mechanism, weapons procurement and logistic capabilities.

He said developments in the North and the East should effectively be disseminated to the international community.

He said the Sri Lankan intelligence service must find all details of the LTTE asses base and the flow of funds to international centres. The LTTE's secret bank accounts are in the Netherlands.

"Procurements may decline and the logistic network may slow down after the war. A very few terrorist groups maintain subscription Satellite TV channels and the LTTE has one.

Manohara De Silva PC extensively talked about Constitutional Manoeuvers of Separatist Forces. De Silva apprised the audience on how the genesis of Constitutional Manoeuvers were sawn in the Sri Lankan mindset by the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) by placing various demands before the Soulbary Commission in 1945.

He focused on how the ACTCs 50-50 demand forcing the majority Sinhalese to be a minority in the Council of Ministers.

Major General Lalin Fernando said the Government should give priority for the welfare of the next of kin of those who made the supreme sacrifice for the Motherland.

The interests of the next of kin of those who died in battle and the war wounded and disabled will be given the highest priority including higher pensions for those who made sacrifices and their dependants.

This will include medical and nursing facilities, housing and lands.

Lt. Col. Anil Amarasekera addressed the gathering on overview of development and resettlement issues of the North and East. Attorney-at-law S.L. Gunasekera delivered a lecture on The Future War.