LTTE gold to be handed over to rightful owners on Dec.4th

LTTE illegally operated its own financial system including banks that drew in deposits and pawnings like any other legitimate bank. These so called 'LTTE Eelam' banks were an effort by the terror outfit to launder its ill gained money within the country. People who lived in LTTE dominated areas were left with no option but to seek the services of these illegal banks to fulfill their banking needs.

In its banks the LTTE had gold jewellery pawned by the innocent people who sought these banks during times of difficulty. With the retreat of the LTTE during the Humanitarian Operation these banks were abandoned and much of its assets including the gold and money were taken away by LTTE cadres. The advancing security forces after securing the areas took stock of the ground situation and found some of the gold left behind in the so called Eelam banks and some were hidden in bunkers and other hideouts.

On finding some of this Gold, the security forces secured these assets and after proper identification and inventory kept it under tight security and custody until finding the owners or handing over the same to the Central Bank.

So far after much effort Security forces in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar have been able to identify 2379 such owners after going through stringent identification and verification process which took considerable amount of time. Among them 1960 persons representing the districts of the Northern Province will receive their valuables in a handing over ceremony scheduled to held (4th December) under the patronage of President Rajapaksa in Colombo. Even though these people have taken money after pawning their valuables to the LTTE the government is returning them their gold as a gesture of goodwill.

This is just one instance which reflects the commitment of the government and the security forces in creating reconciliation and lasting peace.(KH/MoD)