Tigers sought C$ 3 million from Canada

RCMP counterterrorism investigators in Toronto have seized a letter signed by the leader of the LTTE directing Canadian Tamils to send him $3-million, according to police files released yesterday by the Federal Court.

The leader's letter, found during a search of the Toronto office of the World Tamil Movement, discusses the need to "intensify the struggle" and ensure that Tamils are "strong enough" to fight "with our full breath," according to the newly unsealed files.

Velupillai Prabhakaran adds that he looks "forward to receiving substantial contribution from the displaced people of Tamil Eelam" and advises the "Canadian office" to provide 15 of the 100 "crores" he needs. A crore is the equivalent of just over $200,000.

The RCMP cited the 2002 letter as evidence the WTM is the "Canadian branch" of the Tigers, a rebel group fighting a war against Sri Lankan government forces.

Also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, the Tigers are an outlawed terrorist group in Canada because of tactics that include suicide bombings and political killings.
The solicitation from Prabhakaran is contained in hundreds of pages of materials the RCMP took to a Federal Court judge last month as part of an application to seize the WTM's bank accounts. The judge approved the seizures.

The documents remained sealed until yesterday, although some parts remain blacked out. Last Friday, the courts released documents concerning a related investigation into the WTM office in Montreal.

The documents detailing the Montreal and Toronto terrorist financing investigations (some of which were revealed in the National Post on Saturday and Monday) provide the first indication the Canadian Tamil groups serve as "foreign branches" of the Tigers, police claim. The documents also spell out the money trail, showing how the WTM has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in Quebec and Ontario and shipped it overseas, allegedly to pay for arms and other materials for the Tamil independence struggle - although WTM officials deny the claims and no charges have been laid.

Troops captured Palampiddi Bridge

Troops on offensive operation in Vavuniya front on Wanni theatre of battle have gained control over an LTTE's stronghold in general area Palampiddi this afternoon, May 06.

According to the sources, troops have captured Palampiddi Bridge following a fierce gun battle which lasts in hours. Ground troops said that enemy suffered heavy casualties as troops launched heavy artillery barrages targeting enemy locations. Monitoring LTTE communication channels it is learnt that 5 terrorists were killed while another received injuries.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets have launched close air support mission targeting an LTTE stronghold in the same area this afternoon. Air Force sources said that an LTTE stronghold located 1Km north of Palampiddi junction was targeted around 3.40 pm.

AC Shanthan rearrested in London?

Unconfirmed reports revealed that Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar, alias AC Shanthan has been rearrested today by the British Metropolitan Counter terrorism command. A.C.Shanthan rearrested again?Shanthan was earlier arrested on 28 June 2007, and was charged under the Terrorism Act 2000, for providing support for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is a proscribed organization in the United Kingdom.

He was charged for five offences including purchasing equipment that can be used in terrorist activities, fundraising and organizing public events to support the Tamil Tigers.
Later on 22 November 2007, Kingston Crown court granted bail to Shanthan who was arrested on charges under UK Terrorism Act 2000.
In the meantime, on 29 April, Jegatheeswaran Muralieetharan (46), of new Town in Wales, Vithy Tharan (39) of Powys, Wales, and Murugesu Jegatheeswaran (33) of Mitcham , Surrey, of South West London, were arrested at separate addresses in Wales, south east England and Greater London when British police officers from the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, supported by members of the Welsh police service, carried out searches under the Terrorism Act 2000 at a number of residential and business addresses.

Wimal and Nandana agreed to form a new political party

Parliamentarian Nandana Gunatillake, said that they would form a new political party in the near future. He said that he has already discussed with Wimal Weerawansa about this party. The new political movement will also include those who have left the JVP in dejection, and that doors were open for any would-be deserter as well, Mr. Gunatilake said. Speaking to media regarding his talks with Mr. Weerawansa, the JVP MP said that the new movement would be launched this month.

He said the Central Committee of the JVP would take a decision regarding Wimal Weerawansa soon.He said at the moment Weerawansa is the Propaganda Secretary of the party and the member of the politburo. But during last few days Weerawansa acted on his own.

Election Commission invites international monitoring teams

The Commissioner of Elections has invited several international election monitoring organizations to engage in monitoring the eastern provincial council election. The organizations include monitoring bodies of the Commonwealth, the European Union and the Asian Election Superintendents Association. Monitors of the Asian Election Superintendents Association arrive in the island this Sunday. They will meet the political parties and independent groups contesting this month’s election and local election monitors on Tuesday in Colombo.

Security News

A SLA soldier was killed, while another received injures when LTTE terrorists triggered off a by road claymore mine targeting an Army personnel carrier on Friday (May 2) evening in general area Halembewewa, Welioya.

Two LTTE terrorists were killed, while 4 soldiers received injuries during clashes erupted between troops and LTTE yesterday (May 2), at the Mannar battle front.