Attempt to influence UNHRC delegates :

Expatriate LTTE cadres hell bent on revenge

by P. Krishnaswamy

Many expatriate LTTE cadres, including an NGO activist are in Geneva canvassing support for the US-backed resolution on Sri Lanka and are holding meetings and hosting lavish parties in an effort to influence delegates at the UNHRC sessions, Deputy Minister of Child Development and Women’s Affairs M.L.A.M. Hisbullah told the Sunday Observer.

They are the least worried in the welfare of their people back home and are hell bent on taking revenge because their leader and patron Velupillai Prabhakaran was eliminated, the Deputy Minister said.

Hisbullah, a member of the Sri Lankan delegation to Geneva last week said that he had met some expatriate LTTE cadres and tried to convince them about the major development work that has been undertaken in the North and the East and the peaceful communal harmony and brotherhood that has been restored after LTTE terrorism was eradicated three years ago. Nevertheless these LTTE cadres are hell bent on destabilising the democratically elected Government as an act of vengeance for eliminating the LTTE, he said. They continue to raise funds from the Tamil diaspora and their sympathisers have millions of dollars at their disposal, he said.

Most of them are now members of NGOs that propagate separatism, he said.

He apprised them that over 11,000 LTTE cadres held previously in detention camps have been released and reintegrated into their community.

He told them that displaced Tamil families had returned to their traditional professions in their own villages and major development work, including the provision of infrastructure, employment opportunities and enhanced educational facilities, have been provided. The fact that the Attorney General would submit a report relating to the charges in the LLRC Report against persons, the Army has set up a Court Martial, the Navy has begun holding inquiries and investigations, the possible aspects of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that can be implemented and the time that is needed were also explained to them, Hisbullah said. However, they appear to be guided by arrogance and believe that fund-raising is far easier for them that promising the utopian Eelam, Hisbullah said.