BBC News
3 May 2007
Temple's alleged links to rebels
Negendram Seevaratnam
Mr Seevaratnam has been suspended during the inquiry
A document leaked to BBC London has revealed that a Hindu temple in south London may have possible links to a rebel organisation.
The Armulmihu Hindu temple in Tooting has had its assets frozen pending an investigation into alleged links with the UK banned Tamil Tigers.
The temple's founder has been suspended during the investigation.
However temple members fear children in Sri Lanka who rely on their aid will die as a result of the ban.
If I am not associated, how can I disassociate?
Negendram Seevaratnam, the temple's founder
Organisers say the temple raises nearly £500,000 each year, some of which goes to help orphans in Sri Lanka following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
But the government has suspended the temple's founder, Negendram Seevaratnam, because it alleges he failed to disassociate himself from the banned group.
Mr Seevaratnam said: "When you say 'disassociate yourself', there's a presumption that I was already associated. Now if I am not associated, how can I disassociate?"
The Tamil Tigers have been a banned organisation in the UK since 2001 because of what UK authorities believe are its links to terrorism.
The Tigers are fighting for a separate homeland in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
Ministers said they would not comment on the investigation into the Hindu temple as it was ongoing.
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