Government dismisses LTTE ‘poll’ attempt

by Manjula FERNANDO

Sri Lanka snubbed moves by LTTE remnants to hold a ‘poll’ in April next year to elect members to its so-called transitional Government, saying this was another futile attempt to revive the terror organisation.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told the Sunday Observer that their declared government-in-exile was a myth and so is the move to hold a poll as announced on Thursday by the US based LTTE proxy Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran. “If they try to perpetuate LTTE terrorism in the guise of various other front movements, this will also be countered by us,” he said commenting on Rudrakumaran’s claim. The LTTE is banned in countries including the US where Rudrakumaran who is said to have taken over the diaspora activities of the LTTE, is based.

The Minister said, “No country should be allowed to host any groupings or meetings that serve a separatist cause in Sri Lanka.”

Rudrakumaran said the poll will be conducted among the diaspora community to elect members for what they called the Transitional Government (PTGTE).

International terrorism expert and Professor of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore Rohan Gunaratna said the LTTE international wing has three factions with Rudrakumaran heading its political affairs part and Oslo based Nediyawan who strives to continue the LTTE armed struggle, leading another. “The more significant threat to Sri Lanka will come from the Nediyawan factor.” Dr. Gunaratna warned adding that Norway held a huge responsibility to ensure that the LTTE is dismantled on their soil since the country has emerged as a key centre for LTTE activities.

According to Dr. Gunaratna the most secretive faction of the LTTE is headed by Ponnaiah Anandarajah alias Ayyar who is a US citizen and a double Accountant.

He was responsible for procuring weaponry from North Korea that was used to kill tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel.

“Ayyar’s right hand man Ravi Shankar Kanagarajah alias Sangili is now under investigation in Canada over the recently intercepted LTTE ship MV Princess Easwary smuggling LTTE cadres.”

He said the Government should now build a robust capability to counter the post-Prabhakaran threat landscape.