Stop NGO support to terrorists

by Ananda Kannangara

.....When the Sunday Observer interviewed people on the unethical activities of some International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), in the Northern district, the majority wants the armed forces to be more vigilant, as some of their activities could be a threat to the on-going operations in the North.

A businessman, Nishantha Waidyasekara of Horana wants the security personnel at road blocks in the Northern areas to check all container loads of goods and other parcels that are sent from Colombo.

"If a thorough check is done on every parcel, that are sent to the North, smuggling of banned items can be prevented,".

"When I was going to the North with a group of philanthropists to distribute school books to students in a Tamil school last year, it was pathetic that none of the belongings, carried by us were checked by the security personnel".

He said this kind of situation could be ideal for anybody to carry explosives freely to the North.

When asked about the container load of high protein biscuits which were taken into custody at Madawatchchiya last week, a dentist Mohamad Rajan of Kandy blamed the Sri Lanka Ports Authority officials for releasing such a large quantity of biscuits.

"I wonder how these container load of biscuits was transported even to Madawatchchiya, after passing all the main checkpoints in Colombo".

He said such a situation clearly indicates that not only INGOs, some officials must also be blamed.

Schoolteacher, Shivanthi Talayaratne of Nugegoda blamed the Ports Authority officials to releasing 68 imported plug jackets which were to be transported to the North last month.

"But, fortunately the items were taken into custody on a tip off given to the Madawatchchiya police". She asked how these illegal items were released by the Ports Authority and also said that she too was able to take brass to the USA with a help of a Customs Officer.

Dr. S. Sundaralingam of Moratuwa said, "My cousin who was a secretary to a very powerful Minister once told me whatever item carried by him during his visits to his home-town in Kilinochchi were not checked".

"So, imagine how many people are not being checked at road blocks and people can take any kind of banned items". He therefore told banned items are taken to the North not only by INGOs, but also by powerful individuals.

Ex. Air Force Squadron Leader, Hemasiri Bandaranaike of Minuwangoda said five suicide kits were taken into custody by the Puttalam Police recently and asked how were they brought from a foreign country, if we have tight security in the sea.

A Secretary to a Minister, Deepal Wickremesekara said that he had received information that several NGOs smuggling medicine to the Tiger infested areas with the knowledge of Health Department workers. "I know some items of medicine and many other banned items are being transported to the Northern district in ambulances.

A student of Colombo Law College, Nilmini Rambukwella said many banned items were being taken to the North with the knowledge of Customs Officers. "Therefore, I request the Government to be vigilant about such officials as well.

A landed proprietor, Upali Gamini said most of the NGOs are doing a yeoman service to the people in the North therefore he wanted the Government not to stop their humanitarian services due to the illegal activities done by a few others.

A banker, Nimalasiri Peris alleged that some Tamil parliamentarians are in the habit of taking various banned items to the North. "I urge the authorities to check the personal belongings of all parliamentarians, leaving the South and if this is done no one can take any banned items to the North".

A businessman, A. R. Thangavelu wants the security personnel to check all the parcels that were being sent even from the Ministries from the South.

A public sector employee, W. A. Perera requested the President to direct his officials to be vigilant over the illegal activities of many foreign NGOs.

H. K. Premadasa of Panadura said, "I remember during the tsunami period not only the Social Services Department, but many foreign NGOs as well helped the victims in a big way".

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