NFF wants MOD to explain ban lift on proscribed organisations

Monday, 15 August 2022 01:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Questions if threats by the organisations are no more
Says political parties and people have right to know reasons for lifting ban

National Freedom Front (NFF) Media Spokesman Mohomed Muzamil said the Ministry of Defence (MOD) must explain the reasons behind its decision to lift the ban on six proscribed international Tamil organisations.

“Is it because the national security threat posed by these organisations is no more?” he asked. Muzamil said the political parties in the country and the people have a right to know the reasons behind the decision.

The Ministry of Defence yesterday announced it has decided to lift the ban imposed on six international Tamil organisations and 316 persons. Accordingly, the ban on the Australian Tamil Congress, Global Tamil Forum, World Dravidian Coordination Committee, Dravida Eelam People’s Congress, Canadian Tamil Congress and British Tamil Forum has now been lifted.

Labelling the organisations as those collecting funds to form an Eelam state, Muzamil accused the organisations of attempting to obtain Eelam through constitutional measures and pressurising the Sri Lankan Government by accusing it of war crimes. According to him, these organisations were banned due to a clear threat to Sri Lanka’s security. “Have all these activities now stopped after a new Government has been formed? Has the Tamil diaspora let go of their Eelam dream?” he asked.

Muzamil made these comments at a press conference held yesterday at the National Freedom Front party office in Pitakotte.

The ban on the organisations was lifted through a special Gazette. The Defence Ministry said that an amendment was made to the List of Designated Persons under Regulation 4 (7) of the United Nations Regulations No. 1 of 2012.

The organisations had been banned by the Ministry of Defence in 2021 due to terrorism concerns and other unspecified reasons.