The Canadian government’s decision to keep the World Tamil Movement (WTM) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) classified as terrorist organisations has been hailed by the government of Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka applauds Canada for keeping the LTTE classified as a terrorist organisation.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka released a statement stating that, based on the most recent assessment, Canada continues to maintain that the LTTE remnants still have an international network for procurement and fundraising. According to the WTM review, the organisation still raises money on behalf of the LTTE, aiding and abetting their terrorist activities. It further stated that this decision, which was made after a thorough review process, confirms the ongoing threat posed by these organisations.
On April 6, 2006, the Canadian government officially designated the LTTE as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code. Since then, it has been mandated by law to conduct reviews every five years. As of June 2024, the most recent review process was finished. The Proscribed Organisations and Appeal Commission (POAC) in the United Kingdom dismissed an application to de-proscribe the LTTE this year. This means that the government of Canada’s continued listing of the LTTE is currently the third consecutive ban on the group in recent memory. Extensions of proscription of the LTTE have also occurred in India and the European Union.
