World Tamil Movement raised money for LTTE allege Canadian Police

TORONTO -- The Tamil Tigers directly controlled a Canadian registered non-profit organization that fundraised and produced propaganda for the Sri Lankan guerrillas, according to RCMP documents released on Wednesday.

The documents allege that the director of the Toronto-based World Tamil Movement of Ontario was personally appointed by the leader of the Tamil Tigers, Velupillai Prabhakaran, who is wanted by Interpol for terrorism. In addition, the documents claim the World Tamil Movement was told in 2005 to help raise $7-million to finance the purchase of anti-aircraft missiles and artillery needed to fight a war for Tamil independence.

The hundreds of pages of seized documents and unproven police allegations are the result of Project Osaluki, an RCMP counterterrorism investigation into the Ontario fundraising activities of the Tamil Tigers. Documents concerning a related investigation in Quebec were released last week.

In his interview with police, Mr. Manuel said the WTM supported, but were not members of, the Tamil Tigers. "They are fighting, so we are supporting them," he said, according to a transcript filed in court. Asked if the Canadian group supported the Tamil Tigers financially, Mr. Manuel replied: "Yeah. Financially, yeah. And also we are supporting LTTE too for the propaganda." However, he said the money was strictly for humanitarian aid.

But Cpl. Kim said police had found a 2001 fundraising letter asking Canadian Tamils to "please contribute to the maximum extent so that we continue to maintain our strength in the war front." The letter was printed on WTM letterhead, was signed World Tamil Movement and provided the group's Toronto phone number.

Police also found a password-protected disc in the WTM office in Toronto. It contained a document named "Armscost," which listed the prices of various military items needed by the rebels. It was written in 2005, as a ceasefire was collapsing.

"At this time of the end of peace, situation has arisen to prepare for the next stage of war," it read. "We are giving below, for you as well, some of the Army machinery that are required, for the next stage of the Eelam [Homeland] war: Anti-Aircraft missiles – One Crore Rupees [CDN$122,000], canon or artillery – One Crore Rupees [CDN$122,000], speedboats – Five Crore Rupees [CDN$609,000], aircraft – Twenty Crore Rupees [CDN$2.4-million], helicopter – Thirty Crore Rupees [CDN$3.7-million]. With this in mind, please speedup and undertake your fundraising initiatives."