News

News

Govt. alerts Swiss authorities on LTTE fundraiser
By Shimali Senanayake in Geneva
GENEVA, Switzerland – Sri Lanka has complained to Swiss authorities about alleged moves by the LTTE to engage in fundraising activities after talks with the government last week, officials said.

The Sri Lankan government, while appreciating the support extended by Switzerland to host the talks, impressed upon the Berne government that it was also its duty to ensure that undue advantage was not taken to the point of exploiting the good offices of the host country, senior government officials said.

“The Sri Lankan government has spoken to us about it,” Bernadino Regazzoni, Swiss ambassador to Colombo told The Sunday Times, on the sideline of the talks in Geneva. He declined to comment further.

Government officials said the issue was raised, after information trickled in that the LTTE had planned several events before and after the talks that took place in a castle just outside, Geneva. A meeting at the Thamilini Restaurant in Zurich today drew particular attention.

A letter dated February 15, 2006 sent to Tamil-run businesses said LTTE political wing chief S P Thamilselvan, its police chief P. Nadesan and Col. Jeyam will be attending the function, and urged all business proprietors to attend.

The organizers were Tamil Television Network, International Broadcasting Corporation and Eelamurasu Newspaper, according to the letter.
The LTTE was scheduled to leave Switzerland on Feb. 28 for the Norwegian capital Oslo, and thereafter for Iceland.But a senior LTTE official said on Thursday, they had called off the Iceland visit as its foreign minister was unavailable.

Top

Back to News