Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto - Canada

LTTE agents have infiltrated international agencies: Gotabhaya

Alleging that international media and aid agencies have been "infiltrated" by LTTE agents, Sri Lanka's top defence official has said these organizations were "hiding" the Tigers' excesses while giving exaggerated figures of civilian deaths in the conflict-hit northern zone. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, said it was unfortunate that such organizations do not highlight the fact that the Tigers were holding civilians as hostage. "There is a well orchestrated campaign to discredit the Government and the Security Forces and bring pressure on it to declare a ceasefire by LTTE agents who have infiltrated international organizations and media institutions over a period of time," the Defence Secretary told the Daily News. "The Government has demarcated an area equal to half the total area still to be cleared as a 'No fire' zone and it is the LTTE that is keeping the civilians by force without allowing them to enter that zone. This is the main factor which these spokesperson hide," he said. The comments came as Lankan security forces continue their offensive to rout the Tigers out of their last remnants, ignoring international calls for halting the offensive.