KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — A Sri Lankan man suspected to be a senior leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militant group was arrested here and subsequently deported, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar announced today.

He said Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism division conducted a special operation on August 7 here, which led to the arrest of the 37-year-old suspect.

“Early investigations found that the suspect has made Malaysia as his hideout location and he is involved in blackmailing other Sri Lankans in Malaysia to get funds to revive the LTTE terrorist activities in Sri Lanka.

“After investigations, the suspect also admitted to being involved in a counterfeit credit card syndicate in Malaysia led by several foreigners,” he said in a statement.

The man had entered Malaysia in December 2012 with a social visit pass and was investigated under Section 15 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for overstaying his social visit pass.

He was deported back to Sri Lanka on August 14, for further action by the authorities there.