Dismantle LTTE’s int’l network - Prof Rohan Gunaratne
Chaminda Perera
The LTTE’s international network has three main divisions –
propaganda, fund raising, procurement and shipping, Prof Rohan Gunaratne
said. He said the LTTE has 42 offices in the US, European countries New
Zealand and Australia. LTTE members and sympathizers in charge of
propaganda disseminate various misinformation and they carry fabricated
stories against the Government and the Security Forces, he said.
He was making representation before the Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Friday.
Prof Gunaratne yesterday stressed the importance of dismantling the
LTTE’s international network which remains intact though terrorism was
completely wiped out from the country 17 months ago.
He said the mindset of LTTE cadres overseas have not changed and the
Government has focused little attention on the dismantling of its
international network.
Prof. Gunaratne pointed out an instance where LTTE operatives in
foreign countries were successful in disseminating information to the
international media that more than 7,000 people were killed in the No
Fire Zone (NFZ) declared by the Government.
Prof Gunaratne said the actual figure was only 1,400. He added that
he interviewed coroners and doctors and they stressed that the maximum
number of deaths would not have been more than 1,400.
Prof Gunaratne said the United States still talks of 7,000 civilian
deaths reported by the LTTE propaganda and the Government has failed to
project the exact account of what happened in the NFZ.
“What happened in the NFZ was not projected by the Government
properly,” he said.
He was of the opinion that the military did an admirable job. Prof
Gunaratne added that the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry failed in countering
the LTTE’s massive propaganda campaigns though few ambassadors did it.
“We cannot blame the international organizations for this situation.
The missions should be prepared to counter misinformation against the
country and the Security Forces,” he added. He said the LTTE had
deployed doctors in the NFZ and they have been specifically directed to
go behind the BBC and give the number of deaths manufactured by the LTTE.
Prof Gunaratne said the UN country representative should be asked on
how he got the number of civilian deaths in the NFZ. “The LTTE
manufactured the figure,” he added.
He added that there is a serious lapse on the part of Government due
to non issue of white paper giving a total account of the situation that
existed in the NFZ.
Prof Gunaratne added that Sri Lankan missions overseas are supposed
to counter misinformation emanating against the country within six
hours. He questioned whether they have carried out their duty.
He added that LTTE leader Needeevan is operating from Norway and he
is not a charismatic leader. Prof Gunaratne did not ignore the
possibility of ploys hatched by the LTTE’s overseas leaders to disrupt
peace in the country.
“If there is a terrorist act in Sri Lanka, it is by Needeevan. The
mind set of LTTE cadres has not changed,” he added.
Prof Gunaratne stressed the importance of enhancing security and
surveillance capability. He said the country’s security structure was
totally geared to eradicate LTTE terrorism in Sri Lanka and there should
be total transformation of national security structure.
He said the intelligence service should be given more muscle and it
should monitor the activities of the LTTE operatives in foreign
countries.
“Our national security structure is largely geared to fight terrorist
organization and that phase is now over,” he added. He said LTTE
terrorism has shifted from Sri Lanka to foreign countries and they will
plan to disrupt peace in the country.
“We must do a National Intelligence Estimate annually specifying the
challenges faced by the country from non State actors, foreign
governments and even natural calamities,” he added.
Prof Gunaratne said that the change should occur from the defence
website too. He added that the way the Defence Ministry website was
conducted during the war, needs to be changed to suite the present
situation.
The fund raising activities are taking different shape in various
countries. It take the faces of charity, Non Government Agency and Non
profit organizations, he added.
He explained how the LTTE procured military hardware from countries
like North Korea through LTTE operatives in Bangkok. |