Paris, 09 Feb: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is planning several fund raising activities using the TRO, which known in France as ORT Paris, and other front organizations as watchful French security services are determined to clamp down on terrorist activities in the country.

As the French authorities will not allow any LTTE activity to take place since the proscription by the EU, the Tigers use front organizations for fund raising events. Latest fund raiser is Salangai 2008 to be held on February 10 at Les Eurosites under the ORT France, which has its office at 26 rue du Department 75018, Paris.

It is understood that French police are investigating ORT activities after the authorities have urged them to ban the organization after the proscription of TRO in the United States. The Police confiscated several documents from the ORT Paris office and currently examining them to ascertain the connections with the LTTE fund raising, money laundering and arms purchases activities.

Moderate Tamils say that the French government should not allow ORT activities like Salangai 2008 as the Tamil audience attending such musical shows are forced to contribute towards the LTTE. "French government should not allow such activities of a banned movement," he said.

"Salanagai 2008 has become an annual event that is organized by ORT in the guise of a Tamil cultural event. They invites the Tamil youth from 15 Tamil dancing schools to participate but charge money from performers. Mr Vinayagamoorthy and Mr Sundara Vadiwel who are known pro LTTE activists and also the office bearers of ORT in France are organsing this event on behalf of LTTE.

The LTTE activists made it mandatory for the Tamil traders to contribute money for the event in the form of sponsoring it. In addition to that an entrance fee is charged from the public. Last year approximately 800 people attended the event paying Euro 10 per family as entrance fee.

Two months ago, the LTTE blatantly violated the EU ban by openly organizing a commemoration for to remember former Jaffna commander Kittu alias Sathasivam Krishnakumar who committed suicide when the Indian navy surrounded the LTTE arms ship he was commanding off Chennai.

Kittu commemoration was held on January 19 at the hall No 144, Avenue du President Wilson, 93210 saint Denis in the outskirts of Paris.

EPDP Leader in Paris Tamil Nesan expressed surprise at the French police indifference towards such open activities of the LTTE. "They display LTTE flag, so-called Eelam map and Prabhakaran’s photo and the French police keep quite," Nesan said.

He said that the moderate democratic Tamils are continuously harassed by the LTTE despite the EU proscription. "The police should take action against the LTTE extortionists so that the Tamil people can live in peace," EPDP leader said.