Sunday, 22nd June 2014
By Camelia Nathaniel
TYO Canada welcome the LTTE football team from Sweden
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) created a dedicated organization to capture the imagination of youth. While in Sri Lanka and in India, it created the Student Organization of Liberation Tigers (SOLT), overseas it created the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO). Although the terrorist group was militarily defeated in Sri Lanka, its international network of members and front organizations, mostly registered as non-profit cultural organizations, community youth organizations or charities, remain. This includes the TYO, an organization directly functioning under the LTTE branches controlled by the Nediyawan-Irumporai Group. In parallel with other LTTE fronts, the TYO continue to disseminate propaganda, recruit, and raise funds and politically campaign against the Sri Lankan government in an effort to discredit it internationally. However, the TYO focus is youth especially students at universities and high schools. Like most terrorist groups, for their apex leadership, they recruit educated youth.
Despite the death of Hitler, Nazi ideology survived regenerating pockets of fanatical Neo Nazis. Similarly, with the death of Prabhakaran and the defeat of LTTE in Sri Lanka, the narrative created enthusiastic Tamil youth overseas who hail Prabhakaran and his defunct group. The TYO is the single most important rallying point to create a new generation. The LTTE created TYO as an umbrella front organization to control and influence youth organizations worldwide. The TYO is a transnational group and their members are systematically radicalized by the LTTE overseas network from a young age with the aims of continuing the fight. The militarized youth of the TYO openly calls for an armed struggle against the Sri Lankan state.
The TYO objectives are almost identical to the stated objectives of its parent LTTE.
1. To establish a separate state of ‘Tamil Eelam’ within the borders of Sri Lanka, and to pursue the ‘self-determination’ of the Tamil people (as affirmed in Vaddukkoddai Resolution of 1976 and the Thimpu Declaration of 1985).
2. To establish an independent, international mechanism to investigate the last phase of the conflict in Sri Lanka.
3. To create awareness of ‘Eelam Tamil identity’ among the Tamil Diaspora youth
4. To ‘raise awareness and educate’ Tamils and non-Tamils about the ongoing internationally abetted ‘genocide’ of the ‘Tamil Nation,’ and ‘educate’ the international community on the legitimacy of the ‘Tamil liberation struggle.’
5. To uncompromisingly uphold the legacy of the ‘Tamil Eelam liberation struggle’ [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] and its martyrs
The TYO structure
The TYO leadership was guided by the LTTE leadership located in Norway.
Perinpanayagam Sivaparan, a.k.a. Nediyavan, was the leader of the LTTE’s Tamil Eelam People’s Assembly (TEPA) overseas TYO. Nediyavan, based in Norway since 2006, previously worked under Castro, the former international coordinator of the LTTE’s International Secretariat. Anbuchelvan, a deputy of Nediyavan, directly handled TYO. The LTTE branches overseas known as Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC) controls TYOs but maintains a distance. TYO New Zealand is openly affiliated to and works with TCC New Zealand. TYO New Zealand is the only TYO with direct membership to Nediyavan’s International Council of Eelam Tamils (ICET).
The Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) operates in the following fifteen countries: Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
1. Tamil Youth Organization of Canada (TYO-Canada), a.k.a. Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA)
TYO Canada: As there is no TCC in Canada, TYO Canada is controlled by the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT). The student leadership of the TYO-Canada also constitutes the leaders of the various university Tamil Student Associations (TSAs) which TYO-Canada works in partnership with, as well as TYO-Canada’s cover organization, Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA). In many cases, student leaders of the university TSAs are also leaders in the TYO-Canada and the CTYA.
Student leaders of TYO Canada – Priyanth Nallaratnam, spokesperson for TYO Canada (as of 2012); presently a graduate student at Ryerson University studying Public Administration.
- Naaventhan Thambirajah, heads TYO Canada; leads the York University Tamil Students Association (YUTSA); presently an undergraduate of the York University in Canada majoring in Administrative Studies and Accounting (expected graduation date in 2016).
- Jessica Thyriar, member of TYO Canada; presently the President of the President of the York Federation of Students and the “Racialized Representative for the Canadian Federation of Students”, formerly Vice-President Events and Vice-President Education of the York University Tamil Students Association (YUTSA); holds a Bachelor’s degree from York University in Criminology (Honours).
- Mithilen Mathipalan, member of TYO Canada; has met with late LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran, holds a leadership position in the York University Tamil Students Association (YUTSA); presently an undergraduate of the York University in Canada.
Senior leaders of TYO Canada –
- Krisna Saravanamuttu is National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT)’s Media Spokesperson/ Advocacy and Research Director/ National Director as well as Spokesperson for the affiliated International Council of Eelam Tamils (ICET); Krisna works closely with TYO-Canada and performs a leadership/ mentorship role for it. TYO-Canada openly works with NCCT and Krisna Saravanamuttu, spokesman for both ICET and NCCT. NCCT is the leading organization within the ICET with Ranjan Sri Ranjan as the present NCCT Chairperson and also Co-chair for ICET. Steven Pushparajah is ICET’s other Co-Chair, and is based in Norway. Ranjan Sri Ranjan was previously the President of the Canadian Tamil Congress, another designated terrorist entity. The very leadership of ICET overlaps with that of NCCT, the successor of the World Tamil Movement, designated by the Canadian government.
- Neethan Shan is a Former Ontario New Democratic Party candidate for Scarborough Rouge River, and a leader of the NCCT and TYO-Canada. The present student leader of the TYO-Canada, Naaventhan Thambiyrajh, worked as a Volunteer Canvasser for the Neethan Shan’s campaign office from May 2011 to October 2012.
Leaders of TYO Canada includes -
- Raj Subramaniam, former director of NCCT; presently a candidate for Markham Ward 5 Councillor (Ontario); election day is October 27, 2014; Raj Subramaniam works with TYO-Canada student leader, Priyanth Nallaratnam.
A former TYO leader in Canada, Shanthela Easwarakumar is a member of the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) of the LTTE. Sheworked with TRO in Canada and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). When Human Rights Watch exposed LTTE extortion in Canada, she appeared on a CTC platform white-washed the LTTE and attempted to discredit the HRW report. According to intelligence services, Shanthela has located to the US. The authorities recovered the LTTE application form of Shanthela Easwarakumar filled with her own handwriting and also admitting to her family financially supporting the LTTE.
2. Tamil Youth Organization of USA, a.k.a. Tamil Youth Front USA
3. Tamil Youth Organisation of United Kingdom (TYO-UK)
Board Directors (present) -
- R. Nambiar (Mr.)
- M. Arulthas (Mr.)
- B. Skanthatheva (Ms.)
Former Board Directors -
- S. Sivachandran (Ms.) – 2013
- Sanjeevan (Mr.) – 2013
- T. Rajaselva (Mr.) – 2012
- Skanthatheva (Mr.) – 2012
- S. Rajamanoharan (Mr.) – 2011
- R. Thiraviyarajah (Mr.) – 2011
Senior leaders of TYO UK -
- (Dr.) SivakamiRajamanoharan
- Thamlvany Kumar, LTTE member masqueraded as a civilian on Channel 4 documentary to speak against Sri Lanka
4. Tamil Youth.
Organisation of Norway (TYO – Norway/ TYO Norge), a.k.a. NRT
Leaders of TYO Norway includes -
- Kamsayini Gunratnam, Representative of the Tamil Youth Organisation of Norway
- Sriskantharajah Rajagopal, head of LTTE’s TCC in Norway (Dromman) and head of LTTE’s Annai Poopathi Tamil School in Norway.
- Aravinth Sriskantharajah (son of Sriskantharajah Rajagopal), attacked the Sri Lankan Embassy Oslo in 2009.
- Godfrey Godvin Manoharan, a.k.a. Gandi, LTTE activist involved in the attack of the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Oslo in 2009.
5. Tamil Youth Organisation of Sweden (TYO-Sweden)
6. Tamil Youth Organisation of Denmark (TYO-Denmark), a.k.a Thisaigal Tamil Youth Association (Thisaigal)
Board of Directors (2011) -
- President: NiranjanKandiah
- Chairman: Santhoshselvakumar
- Secretary: Nithya Sivagnanam
- Thulachi Thevalingam
Other members – PradaphManikarasa, Sugunenthiran Markandu, Santhuya Sritharan, Ramjavakar, Veena is Balakum
7. Tamil Youth Organization of Netherlands (TYO-Netherlands)/ Tamil Youth Organization of Holland (TYO Holland)
8. Tamil Youth Organisation of France (TYO-France), a.k.a. l ‘Organisation des Jeunes Tamouls de France (France-OJT), a.k.a. Young Tamils France
9. Tamil Youth Organisation of Germany (TYO-Germany), a.k.a. Tamil Youth Network Germany
10. Tamil Youth Organisation of Belgium
11. Tamil Youth Organisation of Switzerland (TYO-Swiss)
12. Tamil Youth Organization of Italy, a.k.a. Giovani Tamil
13. Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia (TYO-Australia/ TYO-AUS)
- Meena Krishnamoorthy, a.k.a. Eelanadi, a member of LTTE who masqueraded as a civilian on Channel 4 documentary to speak against the Sri Lankan government; received six months basic military training from the LTTE in the Vanni, Sri Lanka, was a fighting cadre of LTTE’s “Malathi Unit” and later worked with Castro until May 2009.
- (Dr.) Parimala Nathan Sampavi, a.k.a. Sambhavi Parimalanathana.k.a Sam Pari a.k.a Sham is a funds collector for TYO Australia; has been involved in collecting funds for the LTTE through the TYO since 2004. She is spokesperson for Australian Tamil Congress, a LTTE front.
14. Tamil Youth Organization of New Zealand (TYO–NZ)
15. Tamil Youth Organization of Malaysia (TYO-Malaysia), a.k.a. TYO-MAS
Other TYO associated organizations are:
Tamil Eelam Football Association (Tamil Eelam FA/ TEFA)
The Tamil Eelam Football Association is a member of the international Confederation of Independent Football Associations (ConIFA), a federation of football associations established in 2013 for teams that represent nations, dependencies, unrecognized states, minorities, stateless peoples, regions and micro nations not affiliated to FIFA. The Tamil Eelam Football Association was established through the TYOs’ Global Tamil Youth League (GTYL) in April 2012. In June 2012, Tamil Eelam FA participated the first international tournament: VIVA World Cup 2012. Tamil Eelam FA will be participating in the ConIFA World Football Cup 2014 in Ostersund, Sweden (1 to 8 June, 2014 at the Jamtkraft Arena).
Tamil Nadu youth organizations:
1. Balachandran Students Movements Tamil Nadu (“Balachandran Students Movement”, https://www.facebook.com/balachandranstudentsmovement: 3,295 likes)
2. Loyala Hungerstrike Tamil Nadu
3. Naam Tamilar Maanavar Paasarai Tamil Nadu (‘Tamil NaamTamilar’
https://www.facebook.com/tamil.naamtamilar?fref=ts: 4,366 Followers)
4. Tamil Youths and Students Federation Tamil Nadu (Tamil Youths & Students Federation” Chennai, Tamil Nadu, https://www.facebook.com/tamilyouthsandstudents: 1,085 likes)
International Council of Eelam Tamils (ICET) and National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) (www.iceelamtamils.info; www.ncctcanada.ca/):
Founded by LTTE leader Nediyavan, ICET is controlled by Nediyavan and Irumporai. ICET is comprised of the following ten “country councils” and the TYO of New Zealand:
National Council of Canadian Tamils
Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils
Norwegian Council of Eelam Tamils
Maison du Tamil Eelam, France
Country Council of Eelam Tamils, Germany
Italy Council of Eelam Tamils
Dutch Tamil Forum
Danish Tamils Forum
Tamil Cultural Organisation – Belgium
British Tamils Forum
Tamil Youth Organisation – New Zealand
Ilankai Tamil Sangam (www.sangam.org), a.k.a Tamils Against Genocide (TAG) (www.tamilsagainstgenocide.org)
Janani Jananayagam alias Jan Jananayagam of Tamils Against Genocide (TAG) participated in the TYO (Global Tamil Youth League) conference held 7-8 April, 2012 in the UK, and made a presentation on the “genocide of Tamils”. TYO activists regards Janani Jananayagam as a trainer lobbying, campaigning, and propaganda and political activity.
Global Tamil Youth League (T-League), comprises of ten TYOs (does not include TYOs in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, and Malaysia):
1. TYO – Australia (a.k.a. ‘Voice of Tamils’)
2. TYO – Canada/ Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA comprises most active Tamil Student Associations)
3. TYO – Germany (a.k.a. “Tamil Youth Network – Germany”)
4. TYO – Italy, a.k.a. Giovani Tamil
5. TYO – New Zealand
6. TYO – Norway
7. TYO – Sweden
8. TYO – Switzerland
9. TYO – UK
10. TYO – USA, a.k.a Tamil Youth Front USA
TYOs will remain a very important segment of the post May 2009 LTTE international structure. Since the military defeat of the LTTE in Sri Lanka in May 2009, the LTTE, through its fronts including TYO, waged a relentless disinformation campaign against the Sri Lankan with renewed vigour. By falsely accusing the Sri Lankan government of genocide against the ‘Tamil nation’ and of ethnic discrimination of Tamils, they exploit the human rights rhetoric with the aim of bringing an international investigation and war crimes tribunal to Sri Lanka – a stated objective in the mission statements of most front organizations.
It is ironic but true that the anti-Sri Lanka government human rights campaign is driven by a spectrum of LTTE fronts. Although the LTTE conducted the worst human rights violations, from assassinations to bombings and massacres, those who supported, sought to legitimize and funded, those very acts are speaking about human rights.
With the more experienced leaders of the fronts such as Father S.J. Emmanuel, Ranjan Sri Ranjan and Gary Anandasangaree, youth including TYO activists were seen actively lobbying against the Sri Lankan government by meeting the diplomatic missions of member states ahead of the sessions and hosting side-events during the sessions. As former and serving TYO leaders and members are well educated, they effectively lobbied Western governments to take action against the Sri Lankan state.
The main aim of LTTE remnant leaders is to create the next generation. After the LTTE’s demise, the TYO became an even more important organization for the remnant leaders overseas. Although most Sri Lankans distanced themselves from the LTTE, a core remained committed including the rank and file of the TRO. As they are the most educated, it is very likely that the LTTE remnant leaders will recruit the bulk of the future leaders from TYO. Although most TYO members broke off from LTTE after they graduated, those who could not find successful employment or opportunities for higher education remained committed to TYO or LTTE activism.
Despite advice of TYO leaders and members in custody or denied important jobs, the LTTE will successfully staff future leadership of the existing and emerging LTTE fronts from the TYOs. It is because the LTTE propaganda is attractive and its ideology is seductive and LTTE preference is to recruit from second generation migrants from host countries. More than the migrant generation, the TYO rank and file were either born or raised in host countries. Although they are largely ignorant of their own heritage, they know the local language, the host culture and the operating environment.
The TYO is one of the 15 LTTE fronts listed in March 2014 as a ‘foreign terrorist entity’ under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373. Although TYO masquerade as an ordinary youth organization, it is not.
In a special operation in June 21, 2007, UK Metropolitan Police from the Counter Terrorism Command arrested A. C. Shanthan (51 yrs), the President of the British Tamil Association (BTA) and Goldan Lambert (29 yrs), the Head of the Tamil Youth Organization. Investigations revealed that Shanthan was LTTE branch chief and Lambert was Finance chief and together they engaged in procurement to fundraising and propaganda. As TYO leader, Lambert organized LTTE activities including the Black July rally in Hyde Park London on 25 July 2006. In addition to displaying Tiger flags and a cut-out of the LTTE leader on the stage, the participants were given photographs of Prabhakaran. After the arrests Police launched simultaneous raids on ‘Eelam House’ in Mitcham, Surrey and the office of the TYO in Colindale, London.
While a few TYO leaders and members participated in the fighting, most have been involved in supporting terrorist activity. This includes unlawful killing, maiming, injuring of civilians and security forces personnel. While some of its directing figures and members are in custody, others are under investigation. For example Sathajhan Sarachandran alias Satha Sarachandran, the former President of TYO Canada (2003-5) was arrested in the US and sentenced to 26 years for procuring arms for the LTTE. In addition to serving as the president and national president of the Canadian Tamil Students Association, Sathajhan joined the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) and formed a terrorist cell with CTC’s Communications Director Sahilal Sabaratnam, serving 25 years in jail. Contrary to statements issued by political parties infiltrated by the LTTE fronts, TYO, CTC and the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) were directly associated with or are currently supporting the revival of the LTTE.
Despite the arrests of TYO leaders, youth brainwashed by the directing figures of LTTE will engage in terrorist support activity. ‘Writing from prison in New York,’ the leading Canadian journalist Stewert Bell wrote: ‘Sathajhan Sarachandran acknowledged for the first time the Tamil youth organization he once ran in Toronto was ‘part of the LTTE,’ the separatist rebels also known as the Tamil Tigers. But the 31-year-old software engineer blamed ‘so-called’ leaders of the Tamil community whom he said misled him, fueled his anger and hatred, promoted violence and silenced advocates of non-violence.’
Bell reproduced Sathajhan letter dated August 9, 2011 calling Tamil youth: ‘I only ask that you be vigilant of these people. I ask that none of you choose a path where violence is encouraged. Please don’t be a catalyst for promoting any form of violence or hate. For the past five years, I along with other fellow youths am serving sentences in New York.’ Added Sathajhan, ‘LTTE is no more. We must accept the fact and move on with the reality. I ask that all you brothers and sister to refrain from LTTE ideology. As Tamils we must reject violence and embrace peace. …
I beg you not to get trapped in the extremist ideologies. I have not seen my parents for the past three years or any members of my family. I have had no visitor at all for the past three years. I write to you to explain my suffering for the path I had chosen. I regret many of my past activities. Meetings after meetings, campaign after campaign, all injecting hate into me and other fellow students,’ wrote Sathajhan, describing the roles of LTTE fronts in Canada.
From : http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2014/06/22/lttes-next-generation/
