Keheliya Rambukwella hails LTTE ban

Indika Polkotuwa

KANDY: By banning the LTTE the European Union has taught them a strong lesson that as members of a civilised nation they should resolve disputes through discussion and negotiation without resorting to terrorism, said Plan Implementation Minister and Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella.

Rambukwella who is currently on an official visit to the People's Republic of China issuing a special statement said the ban imposed by the 25 member European Union had conveyed a stronger message to the LTTE than the ban imposed by other countries such as the US, India and Canada because they have emphasised that they did not consider the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamil people.

If the LTTE tried to blame the Government for the EU ban it clearly showed its own downfall. Rambukwella said he felt that the EU would have taken this decision after carefully studying the post-Geneva talks behaviour and activities of the LTTE.

Rambukwella said the LTTE should now learn a lesson and return to the negotiating table and if it did so the EU may even re-consider its decision to ban the outfit.