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by Don Asoka Wijewardena, Deepal Warnakulasuriya and P. Krishnasamy

The Government on September 6 temporarily lifted the ban imposed on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam showing its sincere commitment to solve the ethnic problem and bring about peace. There was opposition to this move by some sections of the community. The "Sunday Observer" - News Desk spoke to political parties that matter most in this respect. This is what they said:

LSSP Leader Batty Weerakoon:

Although we do not know what the agenda for talks in Thailand but we must say that the de-proscription of the LTTE was a carefully adapted strategy by the UNF government. Even when we were in power we wanted to lift the ban. But the PA led coalition hesitated to do so fearing that the general public may agitate against such a move.

Making reference to the proposed talks in Thailand former Justice Minister said that the outcome cannot be predicted. "As far as I am concerned I don't think the proposed talks will bring about a permanent solution to the ethnic problem and go for changes in political set up in the country. The talks may help solve immediate problems in the North and East but not in the country as a whole. The sixth amendment to the Constitution empowers any government to institute legal action at the Supreme Court against separatism. The UNF government has taken the responsibility in de-proscribing the LTTE. But no one knows exactly what the agenda is," he added.

New Left Front leader Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne:

The de-proscription of the LTTE is a big step forward taken by the UNF government for the sake of the country. We have been campaigning for the removal of the ban because it is meaningless to gag and fetter Tamil community without finding solutions to the problem. "I am of the opinion that the talks will create a friendly atmosphere between Sinhalese and the Tamils to live in peace. At the moment the LTTE is an informal government and they should form an interim government."

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna:

The Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Tilvin Silva said that the JVP was totally against the de-proscription of the LTTE and warned that they will soon come out in the open in association with several organisations.

"The lifting in our view is a challenge and we will not lie low instead act with all our strength to defeat the UNF government.We did forward two conditions to consider before lifting the ban: We had asked the LTTE to give up the idea of a separate state (Eelam) and also give up the arms struggle to win their demands. But these proposals were not give a due consideration. The action of the government has strengthened them and also legitimised their actions," he added.

Sihala Urumaya:

Sihala Urumaya Leader and former Parliamentarian Tilak Karunaratne said that it was very hurting to see what the UNF government had done as they had contributed in a big way to impose the ban on LTTE whereas they attacked the "Dalada Maligawa - the temple of the Tooth Relic, the holiest religious shrine in the country. "There is no doubt that everybody wants peace. But the arbitrary action of the UNF government had given recognition to an organisation with several or thousands of murderers in their record, and have legalised its action to win Eelam," he added.

Karunaratne while finding fault with the government for its violation of the Constitution said that he was very upset to see the silence maintained by Mahasangha. "We could have accepted their position if the LTTE had tendered an unconditional apology to the Sangha for what they have done in the past."

He further said that they would urge President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to use her powers to re-enforce the ban. They would join hands with patriotic forces and take steps to challenge the Defence Minister and others responsible for this de-banning act. "There is one thing which the government should know. One day the people of this country will rise against them."

Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Minister Rauff Hakeem said that they welcomed the decision taken by the Government in lifting the ban on the LTTE. It was a timely decision in the context of the fact that the LTTE was returning to the democratic mainstream, he said. The lifting of the ban was also a prerequisite for the forthcoming peace talks between the Government and the LTTE because peace talks with a proscribed organisation was not possible, Mr. Hakeem further stated.

Senior Vice President of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and Batticaloa MP, Joseph Pararajasingham, said that the de-proscription of the LTTE was an important cornerstone to begin the peace talks. The Government had kept up to its assurance of lifting the ban before the talks and this was a welcome sign, he said.

President of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) and parliamentarian, A. Vinayagamurthy, said that they welcomed the de-proscription although done at a very late stage. It would legalise the negotiatory talks that are to take place in Thailand between the Government and the LTTE, he added. "I am happy that the illegal ban imposed on the LTTE by the former Government has now been lifted", he remarked.

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