Sri Lanka Asks EU To Help Stop LTTE Funding

New Delhi, July 22, IRNA - Sri Lanka Saturday asked for sustained vigilance on the part of the European Union to stop funding of the LTTE by the outfitˈs front organizations. Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister GL Peiris stressed on the issue during talks with a six-member EU parliamentarian team which is on a tour of the country, pti reported. Peiris was referring to Europolˈs Terrorist Situation and Trend Report this year which said the LTTE is still considered active and benefiting from support in countries with a significant diaspora. The LTTE was banned as a terrorist outfit by the EU in 2007. Peiris said he was happy that the EU delegation was able to see for themselves the progress made by the Sri Lankan government. The parliamentarians for their part urged the government to conduct the Septemberˈs provincial council election in the Tamil-dominated north in a civilian environment. Sri Lanka has resisted international calls for de-escalation of the military presence citing national security imperatives. The delegation also stressed the need for the full implementation of Sri Lankaˈs reconciliation commission (LLRC) recommendations in order to achieve comprehensive national reconciliation./end