Like many London shopkeepers, Theepan Yogarajah has gripes about taxes, red tape and the council. Unlike many, he also worries about intimidation and death threats.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam visited him and demanded money. “They said they were collecting for charity. I said, ‘Are you registered?’ Fifteen days later they came back, saying everyone else had given money and they needed it for the final war.”

The third time, they went to his house and asked for £50,000. Still he refused to pay. “How could I get £50,000?” he laughs. “I have three children.

A lot of people will get the money — especially if they have parents in Sri Lanka. They will remortgage their house if necessary.”

Since taking a stand, Mr Yogarajah says photographs of him have been published on pro-Tiger websites, accompanied by text denouncing him as a traitor. He receives regular abusive phone calls and in November, there was a break-in at the independent Tamil radio station where he volunteers. Equipment was smashed or stolen. He believes the culprits to be Tiger sympathisers.

The Times spoke to others who had refused to pay. Some claimed to have been warned about the safety of relatives in Tiger-held areas. None of this comes as a surprise to Amar. Until 2000 he worked as a Tiger volunteer in Britain, but he resigned when the group was banned. He was concerned about breaking the law, but also disillusioned with their methods and motives. “People saw the money and it changed,” he said.

Deva, a shopkeeper, is an ardent Tamil nationalist but no longer believes that the group helps the Tamil cause. “People have to work long hours to feed their children. The LTTE come to visit, demanding thousands of pounds – just to kill people.” Some names have been changed.

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