DMK working President Stalin welcomes LTTE ban lifting

I welcome the decision of the European Union to remove LTTE from the list of terror organizations. It is a moment of elation as EU’s highest court has removed LTTE from this list and I view this act as an important turning point in the long struggle to secure the rights of Eelam Tamils.

The Government of Sri Lanka which has systematically interfered and undermined investigations about the human rights abuses orchestrated by the Sri Lankan Army on Eelam Tamils, should understand the intent of EU’s highest court act of lifting ban on LTTE and work towards ensuring meaningful share of power to Eelam Tamils, equal rights on par with Sinhala majority and create an ecosystem for Tamils to rebuild and live their life with self-respect. It is time for the Government of Sri Lanka to expedite actions regarding identifying the Tamils who vanished during the war, to return the land parcels belonging to Tamils which are presently occupied by Sri Lankan Army, to cooperate with an independent, international investigation regarding the human rights abuses, to take necessary actions against members who were responsible for the genocide during the war and move in a direction towards structuring a political solution which is amenable to the interests of the Eelam Tamils.

With the European Union lifting the ban on LTTE, it is imperative that the Central Government applies enough pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka to safeguard and deliver the rights demanded by Eelam Tamils, which they rightfully deserve. Tamils across the globe are now looking up to the Central Government to take actions within their ambit, in favour of Eelam Tamils, realizing the intent of the highest court of European Union which has lifted the ban on LTTE. I urge the Central Government to initiate proactive actions towards structuring a political solution and emphasize the fact that India does have a role to play in ensuring the just treatment of Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka.