Sri Lanka seeks Interpol red notice for arrest of LTTE leader

Sri Lanka on Sunday said it will ask Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of a Europe- based LTTE leader who directed actions of three key operatives of the banned outfit killed in a major operation last week.

Colombo: Sri Lanka on Sunday said it will ask Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of a Europe- based LTTE leader who directed actions of three key operatives of the banned outfit killed in a major operation last week.
"We want an Interpol red notice issued for Nediyavan, police spokesman Superintendent Ajith Rohana said.

"Nediyavan and Vinayagam are wanted in our action to curb the revival of the LTTE. They are currently living overseas," he said. "Vinayagam is already listed by the Interpol."

Rohana said the two had directed the action locally of three LTTE operatives - Gopi, Appan and Theviyan - who were killed on Thursday in a shootout with the military.

The three armed suspects who attempted to escape the troops were killed in a cordon and search operation in the area of Padaviya in North Central Province on April 11.

This was the biggest security incident in the north since the military brutally crushed the LTTE in 2009, bringing an end to nearly the three-decade-long civil war.

On the killing of the three key LTTE operatives, the military said in a statement: "It was also revealed that this local group was functioning under the instructions of LTTE leaders Nediyavan and Vinayagam who are based in Europe. They were preparing the ground for another armed struggle."

Theviyan, a former LTTE member, had returned to Sri Lanka from a foreign country, officials said.

Funds for regrouping of the LTTE had come to Sri Lanka through illegal money transferring systems.

These monies had been used to procure safe houses and vehicles to revive the LTTE locally, officials said.

Last month, Sri Lanka gazetted the names of over 400 individuals who are said to be LTTE activists and contributors to the LTTE finances.

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