British court convict LTTE activist
[25 Apr 2000]

Sri Lankan Velauthan Biganathan, who was arrested last year over a shooting incident at an LTTE sponsored sports festival in London, has been jailed for five years by a British criminal court and the court has also ordered for his deportation for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and for carrying firearms in public places.

The conviction is the very first significant move taken by a British Court against LTTE activism within the country. London, alongwith Paris, has been considered the LTTE's overseas headquarters.

Mr. Biganathan was one of some 30 persons arrested or questioned by police following a shoot-out between rival Sri Lankan Tamil groups at a so-called sports festival organsied at warrant Farm School in Southhall last autumn.

A.C. Shanthan, LTTE's London chief, was among those questioned by police.

A 20-yesr-old man was shot in the leg as firearms and petrol bombs were used in the clashes.

Countries like Canada have acknowledged the threats posed by LTTE activists who have recently shifted to criminal activities to raise funds for Tigers in Sri Lanka. Fund raising are done through festivals and cultural shows organised by Tiger activists.

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