Media Release : Friday, 11 February 2005

SPUR Appeals to the ADB, JBIC, the UN and the World Bank to Stop Mollycoddling the Tamil Tiger and Questions Again the integrity of TRO

On 7 January 2005 SPUR alerted the world to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization’s (TRO) misinformation campaign and possible channeling of funds collected exclusively for humanitarian aid in the North and East of Sri Lanka to rearming and re-equipping the Tamil Tiger Terrorist, the LTTE. This well found observation has now been proven beyond any doubt to be a valid concern.

On 7 February 2005, the TRO in Sri Lanka stands accused of importing copious amounts of steel ball bearings hidden under humanitarian aid.  According to media reports, the container with the steel ball bearings was addressed to Mr Ramanadan of the TRO, No410-412 Bauddaloka, Mawatha, Colombo 7. Ball bearings are a critical ingredient used in suicide bombings to maximize death and destruction.

A few days ago, at the Colombo port, a consignment containing 63 safety cartridges, magazine pouches and pistol holsters have also been detained. Three weeks ago imported bullet-proof vests listed as medical aid were also detected. Reports have been made of dismantled helicopter parts being imported illegally under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Constant illegal importation of military type material by the LTTE verifies its use of front organisations in its preparation for War.

We urge all international agencies and lending organisations to abide by the myriad of UN Charter’s protecting the world from Global terrorism and immediately cease dealing with the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

This embargo should be in place until the LTTE is capable of demonstrating to the free world including the international community, the Government of Sri Lanka and its populous that it is capable of shunning violence and entering the main stream as a genuine entity committed to political pluralism and democracy. So far, actions on the ground taken by the LTTE do not engender optimism. To the contrary, there is overwhelming evidence to expose Prabakaran’s preparation for another armed conflict and plans to annihilate all who do not agree with his terrorism.

International agencies such as the ADB, World Bank, the UN and JBIC should take decisive steps and stop mollycoddling the tiger. These organisations have the civic responsibility to support democratically elected Governments and desist dealing directly with unrepresentative terrorists organisations whilst they surreptitiously prepare for war. Under the guise of ‘working for peace’, the international agencies equal treatment of the elected Government of Sri Lanka and the murderous LTTE is unethical, abhorrent and repugnant.

The international agencies listed herein must take decisive action to marginalise the LTTE. Except for humanitarian aid necessary to alleviate immediate suffering, all medium term reconstruction and rehabilitation assistance should be frozen for areas illegally occupied by the LTTE until these terrorists demonstrate tangible and transparent steps taken to de-escalate its preparation for war and violation of human rights. The LTTE should also provide access to areas occupied by LTTE terrorists to civilian officials from the Government of Sri Lanka.

Would the international community deal directly or indirectly with Osama Bin laden? The answer would be no.

Why is it then dealing with Pol-Pot Prabakaran, who is responsible for ethnically cleansing the North and parts of Eastern Sri Lanka by murdering innocent Sinhalese and Muslims civilians and decapitating the Tamil opposition?

Ranjith Soysa 

Spokesperson

Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka (SPUR)

Reg No. A 003 07777 M

PO Box 4066

Mulgrave    VIC 3170

Australia