He said that the TRO is mainly accused for facilitating the LTTE with procurement operations. Minister clarified that the enforcement of the order 13224 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury would effect as to where the TRO in future would not be allowed to carry out their activities even under a different name in the USA.

Speaking about the efforts taken by the Government to illustrate the real image of the LTTE to the international community at a time where many other organizations are trying to tarnish the image of the Government in favour of the LTTE, Minister Bogollagama said that on several occasions the Government has convinced countries like USA, India, and Canada the obstacle that Government faces in defeating terrorism in the country.

With the announcement of the U.S. Treasury designating TRO under Executive Order 13224 the Department becomes the first ever American institute to take stern action against LTTE.

Meanwhile at a press conference held at the American Embassy premises today on freezing of TRO assets, Ambassador Robert Blake said that the continuous support extended by the Government of USA to Sri Lanka is a clear indicator to disclose that the USA does not encourage terrorist by any means. In elaborating this statement Mr. Blake said that his recent visit to Trincomale to gift radar-based maritime surveillance system and rigid hull inflatable boats to the Sri Lankan Navy is another instance in support of this.

Ambassador Blake said this move is not against the Tamil people but against the terrorists. He added that the USA will take every measure to shut down the channels used by the terrorists.

Mr.Blake anticipated a solution to the national crises through the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC).

He said that the LTTE should understand that the international community is taking all the possible steps to curb terrorism and added that the future would be a hard time for the LTTE if they do not agree to enter the negotiation table.

Courtesy - Government Information