LTTE men attack and damage Iynkaran shop in London

(October 26, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) ‘Cinema Stars Ajithkumar & Arjun have raised their concern about the way they should take part in the current protest to support Eelam Tamil cause. As British Tamils we should unite to boycott any future film release of these actors. As British Tamil we kindly request u to unite & pls send this sms 2 ur friends’ is the strong SMS message sent to the LTTE activists and sympathisers in mass scale on 25 October 2008.

Following this message, activists of the LTTE had visited the well known Tamil film distributors shop Iynkaran Video’s in Streatham in South London and have smashed the windows in anger for Iynkaran’s decision to release one of Ajithkumars latest film today. Extensive damage has been caused to the frontage of the distribution shop. The latest film of Ajithkumar is said be produced by Iynkaran’s and this has added the fury for the LTTE men to damage the shop.

Iynkaran Video is a well established Tamil business, which controls the distribution of all the Tamil films within the Tamil diaspora. Its owner Karunamoorthy known as Karuna has come under sustained pressure from the LTTE and it is claimed, he had given large sums of money under duress to the group.

In an extra ordinary development, it is claimed Karunamoorthy was even kidnapped by the paramilitary group belonging one of the Tamil Ministers two year ago in Colombo. He had to part with undisclosed sums for his release. According to information, Karunakaran was followed in the plane by EPDP men and when he reached the Katunayake Airport, he was forced into a white van and taken to a secret location. There, he was subject to blackmail and intimidation and he had to part with undisclosed ransom for his release.

The wealthy businessman is well known amongst the Chennai cinema industry and most of the producers depend on him to embark on film productions.

According sources LTTE activists dominated South London are celebrating the attack on the shop and are said to be jubilant that a daring operation has been undertaken. - Sri Lanka Guardian