Altered LTTE flags used abroad to evade legal action

Colombo, Nov. 26 (Daily Mirror) - In a bid to circumvent legal restrictions abroad, pro- LTTE Tamil diaspora activists have reportedly been using versions of the organisation’s insignia that are only slightly altered, making them appear similar to the original while attempting to avoid scrutiny from foreign authorities, an informed source said.

It came out in the wake of recent developments in Canada and the United Kingdom, where pro-LTTE diaspora members remain active.

In Canada, the City of Brampton recognized November 21 as Tamil Eelam National Flag Day. It sparked controversy due to the use of an "insignia" or flag associated with the separatist ideology. Besides, in the UK, a group of LTTE activists demonstrated during the visit of JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva to London for events organized by the party activists.

These activists were using LTTE flags. Asked why legal action could be difficult to curb such activities, the source said Sri Lankan authorities had previously struggled to push for judicial measures, as the flags displayed were often only slightly altered.

“If that is the case, it would be difficult to legally prove that the flag is linked to the LTTE, which is banned in many countries. For example, the flag may still feature the image of a roaring tiger, but the circle of bullets has been altered, making it different from the original,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath requested the Canadian government to act against activities that promote separatist ideologies linked to Sri Lanka, including the public use and recognition of LTTE insignia.

He did it during a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Isabelle Catherine Martin.

He urged the High Commissioner to convey to Ottawa the need to prevent events and campaigns that seek to revive separatist narratives or create divisions among Sri Lanka’s ethnic communities, noting that such actions by localized groups in Canada run counter to the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to promote national unity and reconciliation, according to a post on X.

High Commissioner Martin reiterated that the LTTE remains a banned terrorist organization in Canada and that the Canadian federal government does not recognize any insignia or symbols associated with the LTTE or other separatist ideologies, according to the same post. She conveyed that Canada remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.