CID launches investigation into JVP-Lebanon Hisbulla connection

[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 November 2010, 07:36 GMT]
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lanka Police is said to be investigating to find out whether the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has any connection with militant Hisbulla Organization based in Lebanon following the arrest and deportation of a Lebanese couple on Saturday, sources in Colombo said. Mohamed Hottait, the Vice President of the Union of Democratic Lebanon Youth (UDLY) and his wife were arrested in Kandy on Friday on a report that they attended an anti-government rally organized by the JVP.

Meanwhile, JVP Propaganda Secretary and parliamentarian Vijitha Herath Saturday denied that the UDLY or any other Lebanese organization had funded his party or engaged in anti-government activities.

"They are Marxists and we have met them at international forum. The Hottait arrived here to make arrangements in connection with the participation of a Sri Lankan delegation at the World Federation of Democratic Youth summit meeting to be held in South Africa in December. JVP condemns this arrest and the issue would be raised at the December summit of the UDLY that is to be held in South Africa. UDLY is an international NGO with consultative status with the UN,” Vijitha Herath said.