TRO to appeal for removal of proscription in USA
Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), TRO-USA in a statement issued today stated that an appeal will be made to the U.S. Treasury to review its decision and remove the proscription. The Press Release also said that TRO-USA will immediately cease financial activities, as required by the laws of the United States.
The Statement reiterated that TRO is NOT a “front to facilitate fundraising and procurement for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),” and added “all funds received are utilized according to the wishes of the donor, in line with the stated mission of TRO. None of these funds are, or have ever been found to have been, misappropriated for use by any other organization or used inappropriately by TRO itself.”
The Mission of TRO stated on its USA website is, to “Bring relief to the people of North-eastern Sri Lanka by facilitating the provision of food, clothing and shelter and Provide help via self development programs amongst the people of North-eastern Sri Lanka”.
TRO expressed disappointment over the actions of the U.S. Treasury Dept and said the proscription will severely impact the Tamil people and cause further suffering to the most vulnerable sections of the Tamil population.
TRO earned high marks for swift relief operation in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, in several independent reports. And it has maintained throughout that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which controls the areas where the TRO works requires symbiotic relationship with the Tigers.
TRO functioned under charity status in the USA but press reports over the past year suggested that the U.S. officials will be watching closely to make sure aid doesn’t end up in the hands of the LTTE, which Washington considers a terrorist group.
Related: TRO freeze, not against Tamils-Ambassador Blake
