http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/03/04/new20.asp

Diaspora trying to destroy reconciliation process - SL's envoy in Australia
Admiral
ThisaraSamarasinghe

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in Australia, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe said
last week that he was deeply concerned about certain elements in the Diaspora in
Australia who were intent on destroying the processes of reconciliation and
economic development taking place in Sri Lanka by continuing a campaign of
separatism.
Admiral Samarasinghe made these comments when he addressed a gathering of
Federal Parliamentarians and Australian Government officials and the media last
week at an event co-organised by the High Commission and the Australia-Sri Lanka
Parliamentary Group, titled 'A Nation Moves On: Sri Lanka's journey from
conflict to reconciliation'.
In his address, he highlighted the involvement of Diaspora members in the
LTTE and its front activities and said they have already begun fundraising
campaigns for the cause of creating a separate state of Tamil Eelam in Sri
Lanka.
"These front organisations were similar to those set up by the LTTE in the
80s through which they raised funds and procured arms and ammunition to unleash
terrorism in Sri Lanka", he said.
The High Commissioner briefed those present on the LLRC report and said the
Government was going ahead with the implementation of these recommendations and
would be announcing a roadmap soon.
He sought the understanding of the international community and friends such
as Australia, as Sri Lanka moves towards this process. He stated that Sri Lanka
should be given adequate time and space to undertake its internal reconciliation
process. As a case in point, he said that following the LLRC recommendations,
the Sri Lanka Army and Navy have established their own inquiries to investigate
any wrongdoings by service personnel during the conflict.
He queried as to how the LTTE flag was used at the Australia Vs Sri Lanka
cricket match in Sydney on February 17 and said that it was regrettable that an
international sporting encounter was used by the pro-LTTE lobby to agitate for
their cause. He said that reconciliation was happening in Sri Lanka between the
two communities and the pro-LTTE Diaspora should not be allowed to derail that
process. -RW