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There were mixed reactions yesterday to the news that the ban on the LTTE would be lifted on September 6, ten days before the formal peace talks begin in Thailand.

Chief Incumbent of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera said "It is too early yet to comment.

They have only set dates for the peace talks so far."

The Ven. Thera said that the proscription had not been a hindrance to signing an MoU. "I think it should not be a barrier to begin peace talks as well. Even if the LTTE came to a Ceasefire Agreement with the Government, we should not forget that their organisation is still rated as a ruthless terrorist organisation in the world."

Archbishop Oswald Gomis welcomed the decision by the Government saying that the temporary revocation should receive a positive response from the LTTE.

He said all decisions towards a stable peace in the country should be hailed and the news would bring relief to people who hope and pray to live in amity and fraternity.

"We have designated September 6 as a day of prayer for peace and we have asked everyone to join us. "

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse refused to comment on the temporary de-ban of the LTTE saying the PA would issue a comprehensive response after studying the issue in more detail.

SLFP central committee member MP John Seneviratne contacted by the Daily News for a response said that the de-proscription should have waited until the time direct talks commenced.

LSSP stalwart and former Minister Batty Weerakoon viewed the lifting of the ban more of a strategic move rather than principle. He also said that there cannot be a 'temporary de-ban' as made out by the Government. "Either you ban them or you don't". He was also not sure as to what consequences would follow from the lifting of the ban.

MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardene said his party needed more time to go into the subject and an official statement will be released in a few days. JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said deproscription will have adverse effects on all citizens of this country.

"All should unite to protest against this Government decision which will finally lead to the creation of a separate State of Eelam."

He said lifting of the LTTE ban will create various conflicts and disputes among Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims.

Dissanayake said the JVP will conduct demonstrations to educate the public on the adverse effects of the Government move to lift the LTTE proscription. Immediate measures should be taken to stop the Government from deproscribing the LTTE under the guise of peace.

The Government is attempting to create the necessary environment required for the LTTE to form their Eelam state, he added.

The General Secretary of the Sihala Urumaya Thilak Karunaratne said the Government has gone against the wishes of the people by deciding to deproscribe the LTTE as a temporary measure.

The decision to deproscribe the LTTE would weaken the Government and it is against the wishes of the common masses of the country. "The decision is a betrayal of the world community as the entire world has to deproscribe the LTTE except India which has now taken a firm stand against the LTTE," he added.

He queried why the Government is doing all these as the Government has already taken enough and more confidence building measures under the MoU.

The LTTE in return has destroyed that confidence.

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