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The Sri Lankan government has re-imposed a formal ban on the Tamil Tiger rebel movement which it lifted in 2002 at start of a six year truce. The move means the rebels are once again designated as a terrorist organisation. A senior government minister, Maithripala Sirisena, said the cabinet had taken the decision because the Tigers were not letting civilians leave the combat area they still control in northern Sri Lanka. The main opposition, United National Party (UNP), questioned the timing of the decision. UNP General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake, told BBC Sandeshaya that the party is not against banning the LTTE but described it as a political stunt. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said consequences of the decision will be "most undesirable". TNA parliamentary leader, R Sampanthan, told the BBC Sandeshaya that it showed the government was only interested in imposing a military solution to the national question of the Tamils. Sri Lankan Government forces have recently made significant advances into rebel-held territory. | LOCAL LINKS  Opposition urges political solution05 January, 2009 | Sandeshaya Extradite LTTE chief - Congress03 January, 2009 | Sandeshaya President's address to the nation02 January, 2009 | Sandeshaya War is a sacrifice for political gain-Mangala 31 December, 2008 | Sandeshaya Free civilians or face ban - President22 December, 2008 | Sandeshaya | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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