Dilrook Kannangara

Sri Lanka maintains a list of terrorist organizations. Various LTTE and ISIS aligned groups and individuals are listed in them. However, they have a much larger support base – both in Sri Lanka and outside the island. These groups are loosely called the LTTE Diaspora and the ISIS Diaspora. They have the means to buy various material for their terror projects in Sri Lanka.

Since 2020 they have been sending commercially available drones to their relatives living in Sri Lanka. There are no import or export restrictions on them and it is perfectly legal at both ends. However, these commercially available drones can be used for spying. Anyone can use them to spy on sensitive targets including military bases, airports, etc. Coupled with maps, either manually or through an app, this is a lethal combination that can put national security at risk.

Though these drones don’t carry explosives, it is quite easy to convert a commercially available drone into an explosive packed suicide drone if explosives can be sourced. Both LTTE and ISIS Diaspora groups have proven time and again they can source explosives of various types. Both terrorist groups have carried out terror attacks in Sri Lanka until 2019.

Drone warfare is the most promising warfare development since the war in Ukraine. Sri Lanka must seriously look at restricting the importation of drones, particularly from LTTE Diaspora and ISIS Diaspora. Anti-drone weapons systems should also be purchased.

In addition to drones, LTTE Diaspora and ISIS Diaspora also send laptops, computer memory storage and back-up devices, etc. These are utilized to indoctrinate local youth in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, this has been happening for over a decade or more but nothing has been done to stop it. They often are classified as donations by the offending party. There is no technological expertise at Sri Lanka Customs to filter out genuine donations from potentially harmful donations.

Sri Lanka should not wait till the next 4/21 to neutralize this threat posed by the LTTE Diaspora and ISIS Diaspora through their relatives living in the island. Proactive action is needed for the safety of locals and visitors, to ensure national security and to eliminate likely and potential terror cells that have been left untouched and not destroyed for the past 6 to 16 years.