The government yesterday said LTTE’s main arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP who is now under military custody, had made a contribution in getting money from the Tamil Diaspora for investment in the war affected areas. Addressing the weekly Cabinet news conference, Government Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the government invited the Diaspora to play a role in the economic development of the North. In this respect, he said, KP had a say as the person who collected money earlier from the pro‐LTTE Diaspora to procure arms and other war‐related material for the organization.

 

“We cannot say the entire Diaspora is against the government. Certain sections of it responded to our request positively. Earlier, KP was the main figure in soliciting money from the Diaspora to be used in replenishing the LTTE’s arsenal. Now, there is the opportunity to use such money for a worthy cause. Earlier, those monies were used to buy weapons, war ships and explosives,” the Minister said.

 

The Minister was responding to a question by the media in this regard. The media queried how the government   could use a persons accused of terrorist activities for such political ends.

 

However, the Minister replied that the government weighed the pros and cons and took decisions in the greater interest of the country.

 

“We take decisions according to the need of the hour. We do not hesitate to do it,” he said.

 

He also said the government could use KP as a government witness in cases involving allegations against human rights abuses.

 

“We take decisions according to the need of the hour. We do not hesitate to do it,” he said.

 

(DM)