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The British High Commission in Colombo issued a statement last night saying that Britain's ban on the LTTE will not affect the ongoing peace process. The statement also added "The UK continues to believe that the only way to find a permanent solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka is through a negotiated settlement which address the aspirations of all communities within a unitary state. The UK will continue to support the Norwegians in their efforts to facilitate peace talks. The UK strongly urges both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to begin peace talks as soon as possible". The Sri Lankan Government view has never been different, it had always said " If both sides are genuinely committed a 'negotiated peace' is possible". R. Sampanthan the leader of the moderate Tamil United Liberation Party (TULF) was quoted by AFP as saying, he does not expect the banning to hinder the peace process. "If the LTTE really wants peace, it can go ahead with the ban", he said. Our reports say the mood in Colombo and other major cities was generally a buoyant one today, after news of the ban. Sri Lankans beleive they are now closer to a lasting peace than ever before. Every Sri Lankan is hopeful and is aware of the peace moves with Norway acting as a facilitator to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table. It was made clear when President Kumaratunga told CNN over the weekend in New Delhi that talks between the government and the LTTE would begin in two months. However, LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham has already told London's Tamil Guardian newspaper that banning the LTTE in Britain would disrupt the peace process.
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