SL believes LTTE remnants continue raising funds: US

The Sri Lankan government, which militarily defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in May 2009, believes that the outfit's sympathisers and remnants continue to indulge in fund-raising activities in many countries, according to a United States State Department report on terrorism.

The LTTE had used a number of non-profit organisations for terrorist financing purposes, including the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation, says the State Department's country report on terrorism 2011.

"The Sri Lankan government actively searched for other financial links to the LTTE and remained suspicious of non-governmental organisations, fearing they would be used by the LTTE," it said.

The annual report to the US Congress provides information about terrorist incidents, state sponsors of terrorism, foreign terrorist organisations and more. It said the government of Sri Lanka remained concerned that the LTTE's international network of financial support still functions; most counterterrorism activities undertaken by the government targeted possible LTTE finances.

The possible resurgence of Tamil militant groups in Sri Lanka was not an immediate concern. But the Sri Lankan government has used the fear of possible re-emergence of the LTTE to maintain a strong military presence and role in the post-conflict areas, "Although the military's continued heavy presence in the north feeds Tamil resentment," the report said. (Source: rediff.com)