External Affairs Minister GL Peiris today hosted a “comprehensive briefing” about the government’s claim of an “LTTE revival” for international diplomats in Colombo, calling on states to take action against organisations that were recently banned by the government and suppress terrorist funding activities, according to a statement released by the official government news website.

The minister said at the briefing, which he held alongside the Chief of National Intelligence Major General Kapila Hendawitharana from the Ministry of Defence, that there was compelling evidence regarding the remittance of considerable sums of money from overseas for terrorist activity.

Peiris requested all nations present at the briefing to extend their fullest co-operation in “preventing the inflow of funds for terrorist purposes and forestalling all forms of activity which these resources are intended to support”.

"The Minister said that the government’s action in designating 16 groups and 424 individuals had been taken under United Nations Security Council Regulation 1373 which not only empowered governments to resort to such measures but imposed on States an imperative duty to effectively suppress terrorist funding. Regulations had been framed for this purpose under Sri Lankan legislation, and timely action has been taken on the basis of these Regulations," according to the statement.

“A wealth of information, including documentary evidence and primary evidence of communications between the parties concerned, is now at the disposal of the government, the Minister said. The emerging picture indicates activity by several networks, including links between activists operating from broad and recipients of funds within Sri Lanka. Weapons, documents and other material have been found in consequence of information elicited during questioning.”

“From the material available, it is clear that the funds sent are intended to be used for military, intelligence and propaganda purposes, with groups of persons and others operating under their direction assigned responsibility in respect of each of these areas. While the investigations are continuing, and further information is coming to light regarding the identity and role of other participants, the elaborate nature of the preparations revealed by the evidence already obtained, leaves no room for doubt that an intricate planning apparatus is sought to be established,” the statement said.