Camelia Nathaniel’s forays into “Tiger International” TODAY

Camelia Nathaniel I: “Vinayagam The Deadly Agent Of The Defeated LTTE” … in Sunday Leader, 27 April 2014**

When Sri Lanka dismantled the LTTE killing machine in May 2009, the bulk of the LTTE leaders and members that experienced the suffering of conflict regretted and repented. In rehabilitation, when they interacted with other communities for the first time, they realized there was no real difference between the Sinhalese, Muslims and Tamils. The LTTE cadres admitted they had been indoctrinated to hate the Sinhalese, Muslims and even the Indians. Nonetheless, a handful of LTTE terrorist leaders who evaded the security measures and fled the country harboured the prejudices and suspicions against the State and the other communities. Although they personally experienced the futility of war, to survive they linked up with the existing LTTE international networks that had supported the fight. As they had skills only in crime and terrorism, rather than lead mainstream lives, they started to reorganize the LTTE.

Born on 10 November 1964 in Varani, Jaffna, Sekarapillai/Segarapaillai Vinayagamoorthy, a.k.a. Vinayagam/Vinayakam, a.k.a. Kathirgamathamby Arivazhagan/Kathirgamathamby Arivalagan (alias): is the third in a family of five. He joined the LTTE in 1985 and received basic military training in the Vadmarachchi area. After completion of his military training he had been an active member of the Jaffna District military assault group. He had participated in a number of small-scale armed attacks on the security force patrols and convoy during the period 1985 – 1990. At the outset of the Eelam War – 11 in 1990, Vinayagam was transferred to the ‘PO’ department, (that is the code name of the Tamil Eelam Intelligence Unit) and became a forefront agent handler in intelligence and subsequently was elevated to the appointment of principal agents handler. He had set up an intelligence cell in the North of Palampiddy which was solely responsible for the gathering of information in Mannar, Colombo and Puttalam Districts.

Planer of major attacks in Colombo: Being considered a professional in jungle warfare tactics, he was entrusted a number of missions to accompany the Black Tigers to Colombo via Kunjikulam, Marichchikaddi, Puttalam and to Colombo. It is also reported that the explosives that were used to explode the Central Bank in 1998 was transported by Vinayagam. Furthermore, he had been honoured by the organization for making logistics, funds and cadres arrangement for the major attacks in Colombo, such as the Central Bank and Katunayaka Airport attacks. He was elevated as the Internal Intelligence Leader in 2005 with the commencement of the Eelam War –IV in 2006. He was reported to have moved to Arippu in order to accelerate the Colombo intelligence operations. However due to continuous security forces operations in the south of Mannar in 2007, he was compelled to abandon the task.

 Vinayagam is believed to be akey figure in the operational master-minding of the Central Bank blast on 31 January 1996 –an event that is  arguably equivalent to 9/11 in Sri Lankan terms

A small element under Vinayagam had moved to the jungles of Vilpaththu in early April/May 2009 to pave the way for safe passage of the LTTE leaders. This team was believed to have been roaming this area even after the defeat of the LTTE on 18 May 2009 and finally escaped to South India and from there they had moved to their current destination, France. He has made unsuccessful attempt to appear as the so called Sea Tiger political leader but his real identity was later revealed. This hardcore LTTE intelligence leader has sought political asylum in France and lives freely, in spite of having been issued with red notice by Interpol.

The LTTE engaged not only in illicit arms and human smuggling but also drug trafficking. Vinayagam heads LTTE’s Headquarters Group, which is a covert network for illicit drug trafficking, weapons procurement and shipping operations. Under the leadership of Vinayagam, it has merged with the LTTE’s overseas intelligence group, the Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service (TOSIS).

Arms and drug smuggler: Unlike the other LTTE leaders operating overseas, both Nediyavan and Vinayagam were directly involved in criminal activity, including bank, credit card and cheque fraud. However, unlike Nediyavan who engaged in arms smuggling, Vinayagam was involved in both arms and drug smuggling. Under the LTTE’s intelligence wing, a unit under Vinayagam, was involved heavily in drug business. Operating directly under Pottu Amman, he built a state-of-the-art drug trafficking network from India and Sri Lanka. Heroin from the Indian coastline was moved by boat to Mannar and then on road to Colombo. The LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran was very concerned and made sure that drugs did not move to the north and east and reach LTTE cadres.

Therefore those who transported the drugs from Mannar to Colombo were Sinhalese businessmen and women. At one point the LTTE drug consignment was detected but the police did not know that the LTTE was behind it. The drug trafficking network of Vinayagam was clandestine; so much so that it was known by other leaders of the LTTE. Vinayagam’s activities came to light after his counterpart in India, Siranjeewi Master of the LTTE’s intelligence was arrested by the Indian authorities. Another key leader in the drug trafficking network that cooperated and disclosed information on Vinayagam’s activities is Ahaththiyan. Another associate of Vinayagam, Theepan from Mallawi engaged in the drug trafficking network, and has travelled to Canada onboard an LTTE ship.

Vinayagam had joined the LTTE formally in 1985 at the age of 20, but he had been an LTTE “helper” since his secondary school years. He is reported to have obtained local military training in the Soranpatru-Maasaar areas and Puloppalai-Kilaaly areas in the Southern and South-western areas of the Jaffna peninsula. He was initially stationed in the Thenmaratchy sector of the LTTE then referred to as “Los Angeles” within the LTTE. Thileepan, a.k.a. “Curdles” was in charge of Thenmaratchy. The Vadamaratchy sector under Soosai was called “California” while the Valigaamam sector under Johnny was known as “Chicago”. Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar, was in overall charge of the LTTE in the Jaffna District at the time. Curdles under whom Vinayagam initially functioned was later killed in the Kaithady bowser explosion of 14 February, 1987.

Then Thenmaratchy was placed under the joint command of Kunjan and Packiyaraj. After some time, a new head Naren was appointed. Later Naren was replaced by Abdullah during the ceasefire period after the Indo-Lanka Accord of 29 July, 1987. The short interlude of peace by the arrest and subsequent suicide of 12 LTTE cadres including senior leaders Kumarappa and Pulendiran as well as Abdulla – the newly appointed Thenmaratchy commander – war erupted between the Indian Army and LTTE after this incident. Former LTTE political Commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan who was then known as Dinesh was appointed head of Thenmaratchy. Pappa from Manthuvil (also from Thenmaratchy region) was appointed his deputy.

Nom de guerre: Vinayagam continued to be attached to the LTTE Thenmaratchy sector during all the changes from Curdles to Thamilselvan. He reportedly worked directly under Pappa and was stationed in the Amban –Kudathanai-Varany area. After the Indian Army left Sri Lanka in 1990 the LTTE acquired control of the greater part of the Northern Province including the Jaffna peninsula. Then the LTTE organization was revamped and restructured. The new changes saw Vinayagam being absorbed into the LTTE intelligence wing known as Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service (TOSIS) headed by Pottu Amman. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant and given a new nom de guerre “Iyanna.” Vinayagam, a.k.a. “Iyanna” worked directly under Pottu Amman from 1990 – 93. It is said that he endeared himself to Pottu Amman through slavish devotion. A former LTTE member now living in the West referred to Vinayagam’s obsequiousness by saying that “Iyanna” was like a peon to Pottu at his office and a servant boy to Pottu’s wife at his home.

In 1994 Vinayagam was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to Vavuniya as the LTTE’s head of intelligence for the Vavuniya District. In 1996 he was given the responsibility of conducting reconnaissance or “recce” in the jungles of the Northern and North Central Province and devising jungle routes to infiltrate government-controlled regions. Later in 1997 he was assigned to coordinate work with former LTTE military intelligence chief Charles who was in charge of all covert operations and assassinations in Colombo and the Provinces outside the Northern and Eastern Provinces; Vavuniya and Batticaloa were the key points from where preparations were planned and executed for such activity. Ramanan was then the intelligence leader for Batticaloa-Amparai and Vinayagam, was the intelligence leader for the Vavunia District, and they handled logistics in their respective areas. Both Ramanan and Vinayagam had preparatory roles in many of the assassinations perpetrated by the LTTE during this time.

In 1999 Vinayagam was promoted as Captain and transferred to the greater Colombo region with new duties; reportedly stationed in the Negombo area. During his time in Negombo-Colombo, Vinayagam layed the groundwork for the LTTE’s attack of the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on 12 July 2001. He took credit for the attack against the airport. He was then recalled to the Vanni and promoted to Major.

After the Oslo-facilitated ceasefire in 2002 the LTTE intelligence division created a special unit to oversee matters concerning operatives working outside the Vanni in various parts of Sri Lanka as well as those functioning abroad, outside Sri Lanka. The special intelligence unit was called “External-Internal Intelligence Affairs.” Vinayagam was made the head of this special unit in 2002. At one point he travelled to India under a false passport and stayed for a while there setting up a support network. He also accompanied the LTTE delegation going to Europe for “peace talks” under a false passport and travelled through many European countries engaging with Tamil Diaspora.

As the Sri Lankan Army was steadily advancing in 2009, the LTTE resorted to desperate measures. One such measure was the deployment of a team of Black Tigers for the LTTE’s elite suicide attack unit to the south of the country led by Vinayagamoorthy, who then held the title of Lieutenant Colonel. However, this operation was not successful. As Vinayagam was outside the Vanni when the Sri Lankan Army was advancing, he was able to escape to India before the LTTE was defeated in Sri Lanka. Then Vinayagam left India for a Southeast Asian country. From there he flew to London on a false passport with the help of relatives in the UK in October/November 2009. After a brief period of time in the UK, Vinayagam went to the continental mainland and sought political asylum in Paris.

Designated as terrorists: Since Vinayagam has been in Europe, he has brought together LTTE intelligence operatives into a closely knit unit and has remained its sole leader. Vinayagam had been in charge of LTTE external intelligence and knew most operatives personally, therefore it was not difficult for him to establish his authority.

Sri Lankan authorities obtained a warrant for the arrest of Sekarapillai Vinayakamoorthy, a.k.a. Vinayagam from the Chief Magistrates Courts in Colombo on 24 November, 2010. Since Vinayagam is operating in areas beyond national jurisdiction, Sri Lankan officials obtained the services of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a “Red Notice” on Vinayagam for his offence of terrorism. A detailed dossier was compiled on Vinayagam and sent to relevant law enforcement authorities worldwide.

The Government of Sri Lanka also designated the Headquarters Group led by Vinayagam and 15 other pro-LTTE organizations functioning internationally as “Foreign Terrorist Entities” on 21 March 2014 utilizing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (which was brought about by the USA on September 28, 2001 after the attack on New York twin towers on September 11, 2001). In April 2014, Sri Lankan authorities obtained Interpol Red Notices for 40 LTTE operatives, which included three leaders of the Headquarters Group: Vinayagam, Regi, and Ampurus.

The Headquarters Group led by Vinayagam is suspected of assassinating Nadarajah Matheenthiran, a.k.a Parithy, a.k.a. Regan, the LTTE’s chief in Paris who belonged to the Nediyavan Group on 13 November 2012.

Vinayagam and his group are now trying to establish greater control over the entire LTTE overseas structure at present. There is evidence of methodical dedication in his conduct since he escaped from Sri Lanka in 2009. Vinayagam and members of the Headquarters Group are likely to continue to operate clandestinely and conduct terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, his partnership with TGTE will enable him to infiltrate the human rights platforms in Geneva and elsewhere.

Vinayagam fled Sri Lanka for India and then to France harnessing the LTTE international support network that used human smugglers, drug traffickers, and weapon smugglers. He claimed that he was from the Head Quarters Group, meaning those who came from the battlefield vs the support base. The Head Quarters Group meant the real LTTE and not those serving the support network overseas. Although Vinayagam portrayed that he respected those who supported and enabled the fight from overseas, he believed that he was different because he had served the LTTE right until the end.

Vinayagam did not serve as a frontline combat fighter but as an intelligence operator organizing and conducting classic terrorist attacks in the South especially in the capital of Colombo. Notorious worldwide for its acts of suicide terrorism, Vinayagam’s speciality was in gathering intelligence and mounting suicide bombings, assassinations and attacks. Without a doubt, compared to the other LTTE leaders serving internationally – Visvanathan Rudrakumaran in the US, Perimpanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyawan in Norway, Father S. J. Emmanuel in the UK – Vinayagam who lives in France is the most lethal.

Killer of World’s two leaders: The international community if it seriously committed to fighting terrorism should look at Vinayagam. He was fourth ranking leader of LTTE Intelligence Wing, responsible for killing two world leaders – Rajiv Gandhi and Ranasinghe Premadasa. The same network was responsible for developing the most ruthless killing tools including the suicide vest and effectively using it. After Pottu, Kapilamman, Mathavan Master, Vinayagam was the leader and he was personally responsible for directing and conducting several attacks that killed civilians and civilian infrastructure. Not only he has the knowledge of terror tools, tactics and techniques but he is motivated to recommence a campaign of terror. Permitting Vinayagam to live in France after he denied life and freedom to many is a mistake. A priority in accountability is not only bringing perpetrators to justice but unrepentant perpetrators who present a high level continuing threat both to the host and the target state.

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Camelia Nathaniel II: “Nediyavan: On A Mission For LTTE,” …. http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2014/04/13/nediyavan-on-a-mission-for-ltte/

After the death of Velupillai Prabhakaran and the dismantling of the LTTE in Sri Lanka in May 2009, the leadership of the foreign wing of the LTTE clashed with Kumaran Pathmanathan. The chief of LTTE procurement and shipping Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP was sidelined by Prabhakaran from 2003 to 2008, but when the LTTE leader realized the end was near, he entrusted KP with the mantle of the external leadership on January 1, 2009. Perinbananayakam Sivaparan alias Nediyavan, the Norway based international coordinator of the International Secretariat of the LTTE, did not honour Prabhakaran’s request. Led by Weerakulasingham Manivannan alias Castro, Nediyavan managed LTTE fronts and LTTE branches worldwide. In addition to directing political and economic activity and limited procurement, Nediyavan carried out demonstrations with LTTE flags all over the world to protest against Sri Lanka. Nediyavan was the leading organiser of the LTTE’s demonstrations in Oslo, and even authorised attacks against Sri Lankan diplomatic missions and Sinhalese communities. Other LTTE front, cover and sympathetic organisations collaborated and worked with the foreign wing led by Nediyavan reporting to Castro.

The leadership of this Faction is particularly strong in Scandinavia. During the peace process, the LTTE built a very strong network throughout Scandinavia. To evade government scrutiny, they operate through LTTE front, cover and sympathetic organisations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. Initially based in Oslo, Norway, this Faction is also known as the Nediyavan Faction. Although Castro is dead, Nediyavan Faction operates all over the world through the offices of the Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC), one of the oldest LTTE front organisations. This Faction is also strong in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The faction maintains active projects to engage with Tamil Nadu politicians and activities in India. TamilNet, the LTTE’s propaganda website, is led by Jeyachandran in Oslo, Norway and Sreetharan in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Aligned to the Faction, they not only attack the Sri Lankan state, but also other Tamil groups that oppose them.

After Castro’s death at home and the arrest of K.P. overseas, Nediyavan became the de facto chief of not only the LTTE overseas branches and fronts but also of the entire LTTE. Born on the 28th of August 1976 in Vadukkodai, Jaffna, Nediyavan alias Nedi alias November India is 6 Feet tall, lean, and fair. A student of Jaffna Hindu College, Nediyavan joined the LTTE in 1994. After his training, he was transferred to work under Castro considering his educational background, English knowledge and abilities. After a period of study at the Kittu Political College, he served in the International Co-coordinating Centre (ICC) under Castro. He became an active member in the ICC and was entrusted with the responsibilities of handling financial assets held by the LTTE and its front organization abroad. While in Vanni, he investigated foreign nationals of Tamil ethnicity abroad.

Working with the LTTE intelligence wing, he imprisoned a board member of a London Hindu temple over a financial dispute. Rajasingham Jayadevan who is a UK citizen and trustee of a Kovil in London is a victim of Nediyavan. He was detained in the Wanni for 60 days by Nediyavan to seize ownership of the Kovil to the LTTE in 2005. Nediyavan was busy dealing with Tamil expatriates who were visiting Sri Lanka during 2002 – 2005. He mainly ran their activities and the network of Tamils through satellite phone, fax and e-mails. It is a known fact that he has rendered his fully assistance to Castro to coerce the Tamil expatriates to contribute funds or face punishment. Nediyavan was constantly moving with Castro and the leading members in this unit.

Nediyavan wedded in the Wanni on 30.10.2005 and a few days later left the Island and continued to reside overseas. His wife is Sivagowri Shanthamohan, who is a close relative of the LTTE leader Lala Ranjan of Koyathotam, Jaffna. Lala Ranjan was considered a prominent member of the terrorist outfit, who had committed suicide by swallowing cyanide when the army had attempted to arrest him. After a period of study in Russia, he moved to Oslo as the in charge of overseas LTTE branches and fronts.

Before creating the councils, he ran the LTTE through the offices of the Tamil Coordinating Committees which handles millions of dollars from Tamil expatriates, and earned through illegitimate and black market businesses. He later took control of a majority of the LTTE’s overseas dealings and institutions. This was done after he was appointed the chief of the branches and fronts of the Organization. Nediyavan had travelled abroad with the LTTE peace delegation on 30.10.2002, 28.07.2004, 10.03.2005 and 08.11.2005. Nediyavan participated at the 4th round (Phase IV) Peace talks with former LTTE political leader Thamilchelvan.

He was also included in the 14 member LTTE delegation which visited the European countries from 29 September to 2 November 2004. As part of the peace delegation, he was able to travel freely with the delegation, he was assigned to head the recruitment of members of the Tamil Youth Organization members into the mainstream LTTE organization, by bringing them to Vanni to undergo arms training and then sending them back to Europe to work as full time LTTE members holding foreign passports. For example, the LTTE’s International Secretary Castro’s TYO coordinator for Oslo, Southy, who is working for Telinor Group, a telecommunications company based in Norway, following Nediyavan’s instructions, bought a flight ticket, for the Norwegian national, Sounthararajan Thambirajah. Thambirajah came to Sri Lanka and during his stay, he received military training with the LTTE and later carried out many covert operations in the South, as he carried a Norwegian passport, he was able to move freely in Sri Lanka. He went missing in 2007. There are dozens of TYO members recruited by Nediyavan brought back to Vanni jungle, and given training and sent back to their countries to conduct LTTE operations and activities.

Nediyavan faced many challenges while living in Norway. Due to corruption with the LTTE, Nediyawan together with Castro questioned “TRO Regie” over the TRO funds problem in Australia and Switzerland. After an assault of both ordinary Tamils and former LTTE supporters in Scandinavia, he came to the attention of the government. He is known to have connections with a number of Tamil gangs operating in Norway, Sweden and Denmark as well. Nediyavan was summoned to the Malde police station in Norway on 14 August, to inquire on the complaint made by Nadarajah Sethu Ruban that a group of LTTE persons were attempting to kill him. A clash between the members of the Nediyavan faction and a rival faction was reported at a Kovil festival in Oslo on 07 August 2010.

Six personnel were injured in the clash and three personnel of the Nediyawan faction had been arrested by the Norwegian police. Nediyavan was not ready to accept the death of Velupillai Prabhakaran as announced by KP in May 2009. Nediyavan said that no Tamil would contribute money to the LTTE if an announcement was made that Prabhakaran was dead. Over this dispute and declaration of TGTE by KP and V. Rudrakumaran, a disagreement arose between Nediyavan and KP and Nediyavan and Rudrakumaran. To challenge them, Nediyavan formed the “democratic PTGT” against Rudrakumarn and managed to reduce the strength of TGTE.

To meet the changing reality, Nediyavan made some cosmetic changes. For example, the “Voice of Tamil” is now functioning by the name of “Voice of Tigers” having the same logo that was used by the LTTE when it was functioning in Sri Lanka. After May 2009, the Tamil expatriates distanced themselves from the LTTE and Nediyavan struggled to rally the leaders, cadres, supporters and sympathizers of the LTTE in foreign countries, as effectively as he anticipated. Although he fought with Rudrakumaran faction, he managed to win the support of Fr Emmanuel of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) at present and enjoys influence over its constituents. Nediyavan’s faction is known as the Tamil Eelam Peoples Alliance (TEPA).

To create a global impact, Nediyavan established the International Council of Eelam Tamils (ICET) (www.iceelamtamils.info). The constituent members of ICET are: National Council of Canadian Tamils Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils Norwegian Council of Eelam Tamils Maison du Tamil Eelam, France Country Council of Eelam Tamils, Germany Italy Council of Eelam Tamils Dutch Tamil Forum Danish Tamils Forum Tamil Cultural Organisation – Belgium British Tamils Forum Tamil Youth Organisation – New Zealand

The Nediyawan faction’s Canadian and Norwegian branches are the most active. The Canadian branch is known as the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT). The President of NCCT Ranjan Sri Ranjan also visited Geneva in March 2014 to lobby to have support of the western governments, international organizations and Human rights NGOs. Ranjan Sri Ranjan was previously the President of another designated terrorist front, the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC).The CTC communications Director Sahilal Sabaratnam is now in US jail after his arrest in the US for arms procurement.

After working with CTC, Ranjan Sri Ranjan moved to NCCT as its president, controlled by Nediyawan faction, the LTTE faction determined to revive violence. When in Geneva, Ranjan Sri Ranjan was careful not to divulge that he was from NCCT. He addressed events together with M. K. Shivajilingam, a TNA MP who is a relative of Prabhakaran and Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam of Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), a LTTE nominee to the TNA. Among others who participated in an event at the Geneva Club were Krishna Saravanamuttu, National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT); Dr. Andrew Higginbottom, Kingston University, UK; Bashana Abeywardane, journalist in exile, former editor, Hiru; Luxcy Alex Lambert, ICET, Germany.

While ICET co-chair is Ranjan Sri Ranjan, Krisna Saravanamuttu is the spokesperson of ICET. Thus, the ICET has the same leadership as the NCCT. Other LTTE activists from CTC, NCCT and Tamil Youth Organization (TYO), another front controlled by Nediyawan faction, were present. Ten country councils and the TYO from New Zealand convened at Oslo from 27 to 29 July, 2012 calling for a referendum among the Eezham Tamils to ascertain their political future. Nediyavan Faction works closely with United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC). NCCT organized a protest with USTPAC in front of the UN Consulate in New York in September 2010 against the Sri Lankan state. Nediyavan faction also works with lankai Tamil Sangam and Tamils Against Genocide (TAG) to pursue criminal and civil litigation against Sri Lankan officials.

When problems occurred in Norway, Nediyavan had questioned Norway Murali to get the truth on the issue on 22.09.2005. He is said to be a violent character and Norwegian Police had made inquires over an assault case in connection with Sethru Ruban, a Tamil journalist in Norway. He was accused of illegally detaining rival group members and running number of criminal gangs in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, too. There was another incident which was reported to the Norwegian police involving Nediyavan. He had tried to kidnap an Australian citizen in Oslo, who was running a global TV station known as GTV. Nediyavan had met him in Oslo and asked him to hand in millions of dollars turnover made by GTV and in addition to property he owned in Australia.

It is revealed that it operated under Nediyavan from Norway and is broadcasting through a satellite owned by an Israeli company. A New Television channel too has been started by Nediyavan on 3rd July 2010 i.e. “Tamil 24th” through Belgium satellite services. He is reported to have been arrested by the Oslo authority via information provided by the Netherland police in May 2011.The Dutch investigation judge at the district court in the Hague (Netherland) was conducting a magisterial investigation into the arrest of LTTE financial controller Sana Chanran who had handled finance assets world wide.

Recent developments: After Nediyavan was advised by the Norwegian Government against attempts to use Oslo as a base to revive the LTTE, Nediyavan handed a portion of his responsibilities to Arivu, a former LTTE leader who had worked with Castro in the Wanni. However after Arivu travelled from a Southeast Asian country to Canada on board, MV Sun Sea, the mantle of leadership was transferred to New Zealand based Irumporai, another former member of the LTTE’s International Secretariat under Castro.

Another of Castro’s deputies, Nanthagopan, served as an advisor to Irumporai and others. In March 2014, Nanthagopan was arrested overseas and deported to Sri Lanka. With Sri Lankan authorities collaborating with their foreign counterparts, it is very likely that both Nediyavan and Irumporai too will be arrested and deported to Sri Lanka in the coming months.

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Camelia Nathaniel III: “LTTE Rump Fast Exploiting Canadian Soil to Revive Terrorism in SL”

With depleting support for LTTE activism worldwide, LTTE fronts overseas, notably in Canada, are turning to prey on impressionable Tamil youth and children in order to revive their terrorist activities. As the photographs show, over 50 percent of the participants in the Tamil Community General Assembly gathered on April 13, 2014 were youth and children. Convened at the Toronto City Council Chamber by the National Council of Canadian Tamils, a designated LTTE front in Canada, its directing figure Ranjan Sri Ranjan alias Ramanthan Sri Ranjan formed a new front – the Tamil Community General Assembly.

 The mighty show of LTTE very well proved that the organization still operates actively in Canadian soil and is capable of organizing events to raise funds

Frontline anti-democratic fighters, spies and supporters of terrorism, the LTTE was globally notorious for recruiting a high number of youth and children in Sri Lanka. According to some reliable estimates, their recruitment of youth and children was as high as 40-60 percent compared to the number of its other cadres. Against the wishes of parents, teachers and principals, the LTTE propaganda, brainwashed and recruited or forcibly conscripted children and youth as LTTE cannon fodder.

In LTTE-controlled Jaffna and the East, and later in the Wanni, the LTTE threatened and killed many school principals and teachers who opposed their recruitment efforts to generate fear ensuring compliance. In Canada, if the Tamil youth do not join LTTE support activity, they are ridiculed with the derogatory term “coconut” (outside brown, inside white), psychologically affecting them. The teasing, harassing and embarrassing that some students were subjected to led them to mental depression that severely affects their studies and day to day activities.

After the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, its overseas network keeps its ideology intact through a system of schools that purportedly teaches language and culture. In reality, the LTTE establishes new schools or infiltrates existing schools to indoctrinate Tamil children. As of May 2012, the LTTE operated 428 schools in Europe, notably in Germany, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The LTTE ideologues and teachers indoctrinated and educated 22,500 students across Europe. Germany had the highest number (125) of such schools and 133 schools in Switzerland, and 65 schools in Denmark.

Brainwashing: The organizations that are spearheading the brainwashing of Tamil youth in Canada are: the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT), and the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO). Since the designation of CTC, NCCT and its affiliate TYO under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 on March 20, 2014 as terrorist organisations, most Canadian Tamils distanced from functions organized by these entities that are engaged in terrorist procurement, fundraising and propaganda. Except hardcore LTTE activists, most LTTE supporters distanced themselves from NCCT and TYO of Nediyawan-Irumporai Faction of the LTTE and CTC, a constituent of Global Tamil Forum led by Fr S. J. Emmanuel.

Both Fr Emmanuel and Nediyawan (real name Perinpanayagam Sivaparan) are designated persons under UNSCR 1373. While Sahilal Sabaratnam, the former Communications Director of the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), is serving a 25-year long sentence in US prison for illicit arms procurement, his successor, David Poopalapillai, the current National Spokesperson of the CTC is designated as a LTTE terrorist.

While Sathajhan Sarachandran alias Satha Sarachandran, the former President of TYO (2003-5) was arrested for procuring arms for the LTTE, current and former LTTE persons including directing figures of CTC were under investigation for their association with terrorism. In addition to serving as the president and national president of the Canadian Tamil Students Association, Satha joined CTC and formed a terrorist cell with CTC’s Communications Director Sahilal Sabaratnam.

Indoctrination: The LTTE infiltrated several Canadian universities and school boards to gain access to Tamil youth and children. Furthermore, under the pretext of teaching Tamil Language and Culture, the LTTE formed several schools to indoctrinate youth and children. The universities that are worst affected by LTTE influence are in Ontario. In addition to a few colleges such as Durham and Seneca, the Universities of Waterloo, York, Rayson, MacMaster and Carlton are affected. With students parading with the Tiger flag and Prabhakaran’s photo, Toronto university authorities become tougher.

After Satha Sarachandran was arrested in the USA by the FBI for procuring weapons for the LTTE, the Canadian authorities were extra vigilant on Tamil student organizations. After Satha was sentenced to 26 years in a US prison, he wrote a letter regretting for his youth wasted by the LTTE fronts. For indoctrinating them in hate, Satha and Sahilal put the blame on WTM, TRO and CTC, the latter is still continuing to operate. They pled with the youth not to follow the advice of these groups and as the result, they ended up in prison.

Hypocrisy: The directing figures of these terrorist front organisations have been careful not to expose their sons and daughters to the hate propaganda of the LTTE. They have protected their children from participating in lobbying, fundraising and other terrorist and extremist supportive activities. They are aware of the increasing Canadian and international scrutiny of activity aimed at reviving the LTTE. Not only government, but also the private sector has started to screen recruits who applied for jobs. For example, a university student was hired by a bank in early 2014. But after the bank was informed that the applicant was engaged in LTTE activity at the university, she was “let go” by the bank. (Due to privacy reasons the name of the university, the student and the bank cannot be revealed).

Referring to two terrorists who were designated under UNSCR 1373 as terrorists, a Canadian Sri Lanka parent said, “David Poopalapillai and Pon Balraj never bring their children out and allow them to carry a LTTE flag. Some of their children serve in government holding sensitive posts. The organisers of these terrorist groups brainwash other children to get involved in these activities. The gullible children carry flags and ruin their future careers since they are not recruited to hold responsible posts. Jobs in government and increasingly in the other sectors are permanently closed for them. This is a warning to the parents to guide their children away from any of the LTTE functions.” The concerned parent added, “The same thing the LTTE did in Sri Lanka, its rump is doing it here (Canada). They brainwash the Tamil children and put them in the front. Due to the attraction, a small number of Sinhalese students are also involved.”

Juanita Nathan, a public school board trustee in Markhan ward 7-8, came to the attention of Canadian law enforcement and intelligence services after her links to the LTTE were exposed. She replaced a LTTE activist, Neethan Shan, who represented the same riding in 2006-2010. Nathan held the post of Vice President of CTC. In late 2013, Nathan sought nomination to run for Liberal Party federal election in Markham-Tornhill riding in 2015 but later withdrew. Many were shocked when Nathan received a book written about Prabhakaran, the leader of the LTTE, a proscribed terrorist group in Canada.

Parents questioned Nathan’s role as a trustee and if this book should be placed in the school libraries because it indoctrinates the children.

Dancing to the tune of terrorism: Nirothini Pararajasingam, also from Scarborough in Toronto, is another common face at LTTE propaganda and fundraising events. A dance instructor, she kept the LTTE alive through songs and dances. Year after year, nearly hundred children trained by her have been performing at the annual celebration where terrorist-criminals including the suicide killers were commemorated. Her troupe continues to perform at most events that were organized by LTTE fronts including CTC.

After the end of the war in Sri Lanka, the strength of the LTTE overseas gradually diminished. With reduced coercive power to threaten expatriate Tamils to contribute funds or participate in demonstration, less than 10 percent of the Tamils today advocate, support or participate in LTTE overseas activities.

However, through CTC and NCCT, the LTTE is reorganizing in Canada under the guise of human rights activism. Despite CTC and NCCT association with the ruthless and deceptive LTTE, CTC’s Gary Anandasangaree and Vany Selvarajah and NCCT’s Ranjan Sri Ranjan and Krisna Saravanamuttu were in Geneva to lobby human rights organizations. Those who funded and supported the vicious terrorist campaign in Sri Lanka are today targeting the youth and children in Canada.

The recent attempt by the LTTE to reorganize in Sri Lanka revealed that funding came from Nediyawan-Irumporai group also known as Makkal Peravai (Tamil Eelam Peoples Assembly). Formed in June 2010, NCCT is the Canadian arm of Makkal Peravai and successor to World Tamil Movement, proscribed by the Government of Canada in April 2006. With Ranjan Sri Ranjan behind the scenes, Krisna Saravanamuttu formed the newest LTTE front, the Tamil Community General Assembly, predominantly consists of youth, mostly students. A Canadian Sri Lankan remarked, “Krisna is conditioning our youth with rhetoric and lies. Most parents were unaware that by letting their children participate in banned terrorist groups will affect their future.” Others associated with forming LTTE’s newest front is Thiru S. Thiruchelvam, NCCT, Sevanthi Prabhakaran, and a few others who are keen to revive the LTTE. Thiruchelvam was previously a member of CTC and President of Tamil Eelam Society of Canada.

Deprived of high office: There are a few well educated Canadian Tamils who were deprived of high official posts due to their links to terrorism. Elagu Elaguppillai, a Sri-Lankan-born Canadian nuclear scientist was denied a security clearance for a position at Atomic Energy Canada in 1996. Elagupillau was the president of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in 1995-96, a LTTE front subsequently designated by the US as a terrorist entity for providing funds for procuring weapons from North Korea. Although he immediately resigned, Elaguppillai was on the watch lists of several governments due to his speciality and subsequent involvement with LTTE in Wanni.

Despite Canadian politicians who were lured by campaign contributions and minority votes made pronouncements to please their constituents, Canadian law enforcement and national security agencies maintain a close watch to mitigate the LTTE infiltration. Working with their foreign security and intelligence counterparts, they have identified recent attempts by LTTE fronts to penetrate the political system and subvert the administrative structures.

In addition to a background check, when people applying for any important positions including high security jobs, in future, the applicants’ face book and twitter accounts will be screened too. The LTTE is no more. Yet, the LTTE fronts were able to present a distorted picture of the reality in Sri Lanka and instilled fear in the Tamil communities overseas.

The failure of the Sri Lankan government to counter LTTE disinformation and misinformation prevented a change in Tamil perceptions. The UN-designation of LTTE fronts that supported terror and are determined to revive terror will create space for mainstream Tamils to take control of their destinies.

Canada should facilitate the process of the community for them to return to the mainstream by investigating and prosecuting the financiers, facilitators and directing figures of the LTTE. For the community to reach its full potential, the LTTE leaders who propagate extremism and violence should be replaced by mainstream leaders.

Accountability: Start from where!

Canada’s call for accountability should start on Canadian soil. As terrorist supporters are as guilty as the perpetrators, they should be held accountable for their terrorist crimes.

The LTTE branch chief in Canada since 2003 is Kiranji Subramanium alias Thamil from Punguduthivu. She is a relative of Madhivathani Prabhakaran, the wife of the terrorist leader. A citizen of Canada, Thamil is not a public figure and like Prabhakaran, Thamil has lived in a basement bunker.

While political lobbying including working with Canadian political parties is directed by Nehru Gunaratnam, propaganda and finance including publishing the Ulaghatamilar – the newspaper of the proscribed WTM – is directed by Kamalavasan alias Kamal. Due to the neglect of the Canadian government, the grip of the LTTE on the Tamil media remains significant. Nearly five years after the defeat of the LTTE, an alternative point of view printed or aired should not be tolerated! As the largest support base for the LTTE in the past, Canada should firmly act to prevent another generation of youth from being filled with hate. It will obviously ruin their present and future.

** As self-evident Camelia Nathaniel has access to GoSL intelligence and Defence circles and it is this that renders her articles meaningful. Her recent essay on Gobi and his aides should be placed alongside the information conveyed by DBS Jeyaraj who has access to other sources, including Tamil informants.