OMISSIONS OF TERROR BY ERROR

Sri Lankan association calls for action from Canadian government against LTTE fund-raising

With tens of thousands of mafia type Sri Lankan Tamil groups being involved in a Canadian connection to the ethnic crisis here, a Sri Lankan association has appealed to the Ottawa government to take tough legal action against the growing menace of terrorism there.

Mahinda Gunasekera, president Sri Lanka United National Association of Canada, told The Sunday Times he believed the Canadian government was not in a position to mediate in the conflict in Sri Lanka because Canada was more a part of the problem than the solution. Mr. Gunasekera who is in Colombo said he had vital information about the huge network of LTTE terror gangs in Canada and he would like to make it available to President Kumaratunga if she wished to meet him. Excerpts:

Q: What is the extent of the LTTE propaganda in Canada?

A: We estimate there are about 200,000 Sri Lankan Tamils living in Canada. Around 160,000 live in and around Toronto.

Funds are collected in many ways. They keep tills in shops. They also have a group of people who pledge a certain amount of money monthly to the LTTE. When they don't receive that sum, they send people to threaten them or even intimidate them by threatening to harass their relatives in Sri Lanka.

People do take such threats seriously because there have been several drive-by shootings. So the fund raising is not restricted to voluntary contributions — some are forced to give. We have estimated that they collect about 36 million dollars a year.

They control the trade. There are many Tamil stores. They allow anyone to import but the importer is not allowed to deliver the products directly to the distributor. They have to channel it through their agent, the LTTE agent. The shopkeeper orders through the agent.

Movies are screened and the proceeds go to the LTTE. One film was the attack on the Mullaitivu Army camp. In addition to the ticket money they send a till round during the screening. They have a lot of cultural events, like the Maha Veerar day where the officials themselves part with their jewellery and put them in barrels kept for the purpose. This is then followed by the participants.

Q: Is the Canadian Government doing anything about these fund raising campaigns?

A: These groups have presented themselves as social and cultural organisations. Many of the Tamils came as refugees and many of them were on the dole. They were provided with everything and they had plenty of time on their hands. With all their free time they have been able to volunteer their services to Canadian politicians during election time. They volunteer to hand out leaflets. They would organise a dinner and collect ten dollars each and donate the money to the candidate.

In this manner they have influenced many politicians. Sometimes they have been able to get nomination for a Canadian politician. Membership is just ten dollars so a whole lot of them will obtain membership and go to nomination meetings and vote their man in and then work out their deal with him.

I am aware of such a candidate who was elected to the Ontario legislature and he got nomination with Tamil votes. This same politician was appointed chairman of the Ontario Crime Division and he appointed as his personal assistant a man who was in jail for criminal activities in Sri Lanka and later broke jail in Batticaloa.

Q: Is money channelled directly to Sri Lanka?

A: Not directly. They channel it through other sources. For instance, we have information that money for explosives was sent through Singapore to an account held by a Canadian Tamil, and even the documents were forged. They have a directory where even international organisations are listed. It is an organised network, when it comes to channelling the funds.

There is also the drug trafficking in addition to the extortion of contributions. They also collect money to print their books. They publish a directory.

A: The LTTE front organisations have been established even prior to 1983. Initially they had a few, such as the Tamil Eelam Society of Canada. They were the propaganda arms of the LTTE. Today they have over 100 organisations which have been registered. They more or less control the activities of the Tamil community living in Canada.

Registration is given to organisations which serve the community residing there. They cannot be political, but should be social or cultural.

They allow organisations which provide humanitarian services. Such relief can be given to people outside the country. But I don't think they can give money, but there is one organisation called the Tamil Relief Organisation, which is registered as an international charity. The Eelam Society has registered with the Ministry of Rehabilitation to provide settlement for the new emigrants. The Government often prefers to hand over such work to an organisation of that community.

Q: How strong is the Sri Lankan United National Association?

A: Unfortunately we are not as strong as we should be. The non-Tamil Sri Lankans have been put off by the violence of the gangs. There are shootings and massive demonstrations. Most of them have migrated to Canada 20 years ago and they feel that it is a Sri Lankan problem, which is very unfortunate. They fear getting involved with a terrorist group. We have received threatening phone calls but if we give in they have succeeded. We have not backed off. We have gone to some of their meetings and challenged what they say.

Q: So are you fighting a losing battle?

A: No. We have been very effective, although small in numbers. We have committed members. We are getting our message across.

A: That is a matter for the State. We can take action only if they do something against us. But we send our bulletins and other material to MPs to keep them informed.

Q: What kind of support do you get from the Sri Lankan Government?

A: Getting information is not easy. But we don't want to depend on the government as we would be branded as political stooges. We want to be independent. We want to be able to criticise the Government whenever we want to.

Q: Do you think that Canada could mediate?

A: This was brought up at a conference which was attended by the Tamil organisations and humanitarian groups. Several issues were discussed. The LTTE representatives wanted Canada to mediate. But Canada's stand is that if the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE make a request it would get involved. But we said no. Canada cannot mediate because Canada is part of the problem. But the representatives wanted the Government to speak to the LTTE.

Q: Are you planning any anti-LTTE demonstration in Canada?

A: We organised a demonstration recently in Ottawa. The protest was to show the Canadian connection. We urged the Government to take legal and procedural measures to put a stop to the fund raising under cover of social and cultural organisations.

Q: Are you planning to meet any Government officials or even President Kumaratunga to brief her on the LTTE campaign in Canada ?

A: I have asked for an appointment with the President. If I get an appointment I would express the view conveyed by the Canadian Foreign Minister where he defined Canada's policy on terrorism. I would also hand over a book which contains vital information regarding the LTTE fund raising in Canada.