Colombo: Sri Lanka is still wary of the LTTE’s international network and has voiced concern about the possible re-emergence of pro-LTTE sympathisers despite the military defeat of the Tamil rebels, US State Department’s report has said.
According to the US State Department’s 2012 counter terrorism country report, “The Sri Lankan government claimed that it continued to uncover abandoned weapons and explosives in areas of the country formerly controlled by the LTTE.” Although there were no known LTTE activities in Sri Lanka in 2012, the government asserted that peaceful protests at Jaffna University in November were organised by students trained by overseas LTTE supporters and made several arrests, the reports said.
Sri Lankan police in late November clashed with the Jaffna university students who were trying to commemorate the LTTE’s hero’s day which coincided with the birth anniversary of the late LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran. At least four students were arrested and later released by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on parental intervention.
The report said the Government of Sri Lanka remained concerned that the LTTE’s international network of financial support was still functioning; many counter-terrorism activities undertaken by the government targeting alleged LTTE finances. Counter-terrorism legislation in Sri Lanka has focused on eliminating the remnants of the LTTE and enforcing general security throughout the island.
The Sri Lankan Army defeated the LTTE in 2009 after a bitter fight which left nearly 300,000 people displaced. The Sri Lankan government continued to implement the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1978, which was made a permanent law in 1982 and remains in force, then report said. (PTI)