Victims of attacks which were carried out by the LTTE are to file action against the Top Tiger leaders who are residing abroad demanding compensation of USD 78,000  for each victim.

They have made a start by filing action against Wall Street Hedge Fund Manager Rajakumara Rajaratnam who is held in US at the moment, demanding USD 78,000 for each victim as compensation for each attack carried out by the LTTE for the last 10 years. The association is planning to file legal action against the Tiger leaders all over the world after looking at the out come of the case against Rajaranam the reporters were told yesterday.

This is to be carried out through The Association for the Victims of LTTE Terrorism which is supported by many Anti Terrorist Figures including eminent Lawyer S. L. Gunasekera who is the Legal Advisor of the Organisation.

Mr. Gunasekera told a news conference that they have made a start by filing action in the USA as the law of the US government makes provisions to claim compensation only for the terror attacks carried out during the last 10  years.

However he said the association would look for the evidence and details of the attacks carried out by the LTTE. He explained that these will be sent to the US Legal Firm MotleyRice which is appearing on behalf of the victims who had filed action. The lawyers of this firm will appear on behalf of the victims.As a start the Association had got 30 victims of terror attacks and  have already filed action against Rajaratnam. The seven-count complaint, the result of a year-long investigation, has been filed under the Alien Tort Claims Act of 1789 which grants non U.S. citizens access to the U.S. Courts to seek justice for violations of “the law of nations,” such as crimes against humanity and terrorism, no matter where they occur.

The 30 victims include Subashini Sagarika the wife of long distance running champion K. A. Karunaratne who died in the bomb attack in Weliveriya which killed Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle in April 2008

“I will do anything to stop the LTTE menace and its suicide bombings,” she said talking to the media yesterday. She said she was employed at a private firm but she did not know whether to continue for long as the company she was working had run into a controversial situation.

“Our loss cannot be replaced,” said Karunamunige Krishanthi whose husband was killed in the ‘No Limit’ Bomb in Nugegoda She was hospitalised for nearly two months and did not learn about her husband’s death until her release. Her daughter, now age six, was in the hospital for three weeks. Both continue to suffer pain from their injuries and the family was forced to move when they were unable to pay the rent following her husband’s death.