Police ordered to crackdown on events held in support of LTTE

The police have been ordered to crackdown on events held in support of the LTTE,?State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

He said that while the Government has no issue with events being held in support of the civilians killed during the war, it will not allow events to be held in support of the LTTE.

“We will not allow the LTTE flag to be raised or any event to be held in support of the LTTE leader or LTTE cadres,” he said.

The State Minister noted that the LTTE is a banned organisation in the country and so if anyone violates the law by holding events in support of the LTTE, legal action will be taken against them.

Some North based politicians have organised events commencing today to commemorate the victims of the final stages of the war.

There have also been reports that a monument may be erected in remembrance of the Tamils killed in the battle.

Wijewardene said that the Government has not been notified of a monument being erected but added that if it is for the civilians then the Government will not block it.

He also said that the Government will hold events to commemorate the soldiers killed during the war?with the?main event to be held on May 18.

The main event will be held with the participation of?President Maithripala Sirisena at the War Memorial in Battaramulla.

Meanwhile, the State Minister said that discussions are underway to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

However he said that hardcore former LTTE members who are in police custody and who were arrested under the PTA will not be released. (Colombo Gazette)