The listing was followed by an RCMP investigation into the organization. The RCMP national security teams have been conducting a criminal probe of the WTM since 2003, and raided its offices in Toronto and Montreal in April 2006, seizing a truckload of documents and LTTE paraphernalia.

RCMP officers have found evidence indicating the WTM serves as a LTTE front and has been aggressively fundraising in Canada in close concert with LTTE.

"The government will seize the WTM's assets and that it will be illegal for Canadians to help the group, including offering financial assistance," Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said.

Canada listed the LTTE, as a terrorist organization in 2006.

"Innocent civilians in other countries have been killed by terrorist activity and ... those terrorist activities in part are funded by dollars that have come from Canada. We want to put a stop to that and do everything we can to ensure that comes to an end," Public Safety Minister said.

WTM was created in 1986 and transfers funds to bank accounts in Sri Lanka meant for the LTTE.

"The leadership of the WTM acts at the direction of leaders of the LTTE. WTM representatives canvas areas in Canada with large Tamil populations demanding large donations on behalf of the LTTE. Refusals to contribute often lead to threats and intimidation," Public Safety Department's website added.

The decision to add the WTM to Canada’s list of outlawed terrorist groups marks the first time Ottawa has used the anti-terrorism law to shut down a Canadian community group for ties to terrorists.