Dismantle LTTE’s int’l network - Prof Rohan Gunaratne

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/10/04/sec01.asp

Dismantle LTTE’s int’l network - Prof Rohan Gunaratne

Chaminda Perera
The LTTE’s international network has three main divisions – propaganda, fund raising, procurement and shipping, Prof Rohan Gunaratne said. He said the LTTE has 42 offices in the US, European countries New Zealand and Australia. LTTE members and sympathizers in charge of propaganda disseminate various misinformation and they carry fabricated stories against the Government and the Security Forces, he said.
He was making representation before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Friday.
Prof Gunaratne yesterday stressed the importance of dismantling the LTTE’s international network which remains intact though terrorism was completely wiped out from the country 17 months ago.
He said the mindset of LTTE cadres overseas have not changed and the Government has focused little attention on the dismantling of its international network.
Prof. Gunaratne pointed out an instance where LTTE operatives in foreign countries were successful in disseminating information to the international media that more than 7,000 people were killed in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) declared by the Government.
Prof Gunaratne said the actual figure was only 1,400. He added that he interviewed coroners and doctors and they stressed that the maximum number of deaths would not have been more than 1,400.
Prof Gunaratne said the United States still talks of 7,000 civilian deaths reported by the LTTE propaganda and the Government has failed to project the exact account of what happened in the NFZ.
“What happened in the NFZ was not projected by the Government properly,” he said.
He was of the opinion that the military did an admirable job. Prof Gunaratne added that the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry failed in countering the LTTE’s massive propaganda campaigns though few ambassadors did it.
“We cannot blame the international organizations for this situation. The missions should be prepared to counter misinformation against the country and the Security Forces,” he added. He said the LTTE had deployed doctors in the NFZ and they have been specifically directed to go behind the BBC and give the number of deaths manufactured by the LTTE.
Prof Gunaratne said the UN country representative should be asked on how he got the number of civilian deaths in the NFZ. “The LTTE manufactured the figure,” he added.
He added that there is a serious lapse on the part of Government due to non issue of white paper giving a total account of the situation that existed in the NFZ.
Prof Gunaratne added that Sri Lankan missions overseas are supposed to counter misinformation emanating against the country within six hours. He questioned whether they have carried out their duty.
He added that LTTE leader Needeevan is operating from Norway and he is not a charismatic leader. Prof Gunaratne did not ignore the possibility of ploys hatched by the LTTE’s overseas leaders to disrupt peace in the country.
“If there is a terrorist act in Sri Lanka, it is by Needeevan. The mind set of LTTE cadres has not changed,” he added.
Prof Gunaratne stressed the importance of enhancing security and surveillance capability. He said the country’s security structure was totally geared to eradicate LTTE terrorism in Sri Lanka and there should be total transformation of national security structure.
He said the intelligence service should be given more muscle and it should monitor the activities of the LTTE operatives in foreign countries.
“Our national security structure is largely geared to fight terrorist organization and that phase is now over,” he added. He said LTTE terrorism has shifted from Sri Lanka to foreign countries and they will plan to disrupt peace in the country.
“We must do a National Intelligence Estimate annually specifying the challenges faced by the country from non State actors, foreign governments and even natural calamities,” he added.
Prof Gunaratne said that the change should occur from the defence website too. He added that the way the Defence Ministry website was conducted during the war, needs to be changed to suite the present situation.
The fund raising activities are taking different shape in various countries. It take the faces of charity, Non Government Agency and Non profit organizations, he added.
He explained how the LTTE procured military hardware from countries like North Korea through LTTE operatives in Bangkok.