Ottawa: The government of Canada today added a second Tamil group to its list of banned terrorist organisations, outlawing the World Tamil Movement.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE or commonly known as Tamil Tigers), who are fighting a bloody independence campaign in Sri Lanka, were added to Canada s list of banned terror groups in April 2006.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said today the newly banned World Tamil Movement is "the leading front organisation for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Canada."

"The government is once again taking decisive action to protect Canadians from terrorism and to safeguard our nation's security," Day said in a statement.

"Listing the WTM ... Is an important step in ensuring our safety and security in the global fight against terrorism," he said.

The World Tamil Movement has several offices in Canada that, according to the government, transfer funds to bank accounts in Sri Lanka meant for the LTTE.

Also, the leadership of the WTM acts at the direction of leaders of the LTTE, the government said.

Source : PTI