Long established Tamil refugee organisation facing imminent closure

(September 14, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Tamil Refugee Action Group known to many as TRAG in the UK is facing closure by the management committee. TRAG was formed in 1983, following influx of Tamils refugees after the state aided nationwide violence in Sri Lanka. The organisation provided legal and housing assistance for many incoming refugees.

The fast growing organisation was broken up and the housing provision was later managed by a community based company Tamil Community Housing Association (TCHA).

Both organisations came under direct control of the LTTE men in the UK.

The closure of TRAG is said to be due to mismanagement in the organisation. Its present Chairman C Sithamparapillai is holding the position with the backing of the LTTE for over 12 years without any interruptions. The sources say C Sithamparapillai with the help of the recently retired Case Worker R Navanayagam transferred many refugee related cases to his private legal practice Nathan & Co solicitors.

R Navanayagam known as Red Shirt Nava on his retirement was awarded a Golden handshake from the funds obtained from public bodies for operational activities.

According to sources TRAG is facing Industrial Tribunal action in the Employment Tribunal filed by a former staff and the Chairman is said to fear it will go against the organisation. The TRAG sources said the organisation may end up paying £50,000 as compensation.

The case is said to be already adjourned following submission of sick note by the Chairman and the next hearing is expected to be heard on October 22, 2008 at the Stratford Magistrate Court.

In a further development, the outgoing Case Worker R Navanayagam had entered the offices of the TRAG on the request of the Chairman to assist in a funding application and said is to have removed hundreds of case work files from the office. The matter is said to have been kept under wrap by the Chairman without making an entry in the police said to be for his own beneficial reasons.

Both Sithambarapillai and Navanayagam are natives from a village in Pt Pedro in the Northern Sri Lanka.- Sri Lanka Guardian