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by Ranga Jayasuriya

The Cabinet decision to de-proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was received with mixed reactions. Backers claimed it will bolster the peace bid, while protesters called it an act to legitimise tyranny. Mannar Bishop Rev. Rayappu Joseph welcomed the de-proscription calling it an "indispensable part" of the talks.

"Tamils want the LTTE to go to the negotiating table as their legitimate representative," he said adding that the de-banning has made it possible.

The political tussle on the de-proscription, the Bishop said, was part of the political game in the South. "Despite grave consequences, it is sad that politicians are continuing with it".

He said the LTTE would not go back to war, adding that the Government should address the "legitimate grievances" of Tamils.

Sihala Urumaya Leader Tilak Karunaratne however condemned the action in the strongest terms calling upon the President to take the Defence Ministry under her and retain the proscription. "With the de-proscription, all hard work by patriotic forces has come to nothing. It washed away the past sins of the Tigers and gave recognition to tyranny."

Karunaratne said the LTTE leaders banned in a number of countries can now hold their heads high and demand to lift the ban abroad.

Democratic Left Front Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said LTTE's de-proscription didn't seem new since the Tigers were granted legitimacy long before, when the Ceasefire Agreement was reached.

"What happened yesterday was a formal lifting of the ban".

"There fore there is no need of a debate over the de-proscription of the LTTE," he said adding that "the de-ban will lead to the talks which, I am hopeful, will lead to a permanent solution".

He stressed that the Government should not act unilaterally in the peace process, calling for a formation of a "council of pro-peace activists" to facilitate the peace process.

National Peace Council's Media Director Dr. Jehan Perera said the de-proscription has provided the LTTE with an opportunity to show its political maturity.

"It is a good opportunity for the LTTE to show its political maturity by converting it from a large military outfit to a political organisation".

Dr Perera whose NPC has advocated de-banning, said the LTTE should act in a democratic manner and must use political means alongside the Government to resolve the conflict. Head of the Legal Unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Rohan Edrisinha said the deproscription was not surprising.

"It was expected and it happened," Edrisinha said adding that it would have a vital impact on mutual understanding.

"The LTTE needs to behave like a political organisation with responsibility ," he said. Condemning de-proscription, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna called on the masses to come forward to reverse the Government's "false peace process".

"The de-proscription has given legitimacy to the LTTE's struggle for a separate state," the JVP politburo said in a press release.

"With the de-proscription, tyranny has been legitimised," it said.

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