Govt support for victimized SL students in Sydney

Unprovoked attacks on two Sri Lankan students, Jayasri Watawala and Chathurika Weerasinghe, on May 17, 2009 in the Western suburbs in Sydney by pro-LTTE activists were a demonstration of callous disregard for human life and defiance of the LTTE terrorist movement, said the Foreign Ministry in a press release issued yesterday.

"It also proved that this terrorist movement has no interest in peace but is determined to promote their agenda in foreign countries, including Australia," the statement added.

The initial investigations into the incidents suggested that the attackers were perpetrated as a part of the LTTE campaign to instigate communal violence and hatred between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities in NSW.

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in NSW (SLCGSYD) acted promptly to liaise with the law enforcement agencies that the attackers are identified and brought before the law. As a result of the Counter Terrorism Unit of the NSW Police has been able to lead their investigations into all cases that were reported by the community. The Police have arrested a person from Girraween on May 20, 2009 followed by another two arrests in Merrylands. These three people have been charged with concealing vital information related to an incident of home invasion and attempted murder. They were produced before a Magistrate and were granted bail on May 28. It is believed that further arrests will be made soon.

The Foreign Minister along with the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continue to monitor the developments, including police investigations through SLCGSYD.

The Minister also closely monitors the process initiated by the SLCGSYD to lodge the compensation claims on behalf of victims of the attack, with a view to expediting the compensation claims.