Canada bans World Tamil Movement

Ottawa, June 17: Canada has reportedly added the World Tamil Movement to its list of banned terrorist organizations. The country's Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said that the World Tamil Movement was "the leading front organization for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Canada."

"The government is once again taking decisive action to protect Canadians from terrorism and to safeguard our nation's security. Listing the WTM ... is an important step in ensuring our safety and security in the global fight against terrorism," The News quoted Day as saying in a statement. The Canadian government maintained that the WTM had several offices in Canada which transfer funds to bank accounts in Sri Lanka meant for the LTTE. Also, the leadership of the WTM acts at the direction of leaders of the LTTE, it added.

According to the paper, the WTM is the second Tamil group added to Canada's list of banned terrorist organizations, after the LTTE, which it banned in April 2006.

ANI