Two Canadian Tamils who pleaded guilty in a plot to acquire anti-aircraft missiles and other military equipment for the LTTE were sentenced in New York, USA to 26 and 14 years in prison yesterday (22 Jan).

Reuters reported that Sathajhan Sarachandran, 30, and Nadarasa Yogarasa, 55, were among four men arrested in 2006 in an FBI sting operation as they attempted to purchase surface-to-air missiles, missile launchers and hundreds of AK-47 automatic rifl

Sarachandran pleaded guilty to providing, conspiring to provide and attempting to provide material support to the LTTE and conspiring and attempting to acquire anti-aircraft missiles.

Nadarasa pleaded guilty to conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group.

Sarachandran was sentenced to 26 years in prison while Nadarasa to 14 years.

According to prosecutors, the men were acting at the direction of senior LTTE leadership, including intelligence chief Pottu Amman , reported Reuters.

"The sentences handed down today send a clear message -- we will use the full force of the law to stop terrorist organizations and their supporters in their tracks," U.S. Attorney Benton Campbell said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department considers the LTTE, a foreign terrorist organization.