He said that Norwegian mediatory efforts to bring understanding between the government and the LTTE would continue, but was unable to give a date for the commencement of talks. He asserted that all matters relevant to the process — de-escalation of the war, displaced persons, etc. would only be under discussion once substantive talks commenced. "The government is much more realistic, pragmatic and hard-headed. We will not consider the possibility of sequential talks. The discussions would have to commence without a cease-fire, and we would negotiate from that point," he said.

He added that the government was not convinced that the LTTE had "totally accepted the realities of the day", and the government would keep its "guard up". He rejected the LTTE’s own cease-fire as "propaganda to put pressure on the British not to ban it, and on us to join them in a cease-fire", and pointed out the many violations during that period. Asked if the LTTE had made any communication on the prospect of continuing to be party to the peace process in the wake of the British ban, the minister said that he was unaware as he had returned just yesterday morning from Abudhabi.

He dismissed the contention that the LTTE had been de-legitimised in its role as chief negotiator as "over-dramatising". "They must understand that steps have been taken in accordance with the laws of another land." He added that it was "indeed a blow to the LTTE, which could not complain given the definition of the law". He added that the UK was not concerned with the worthiness of the cause, only with the prohibition of violence in pursuit of any cause. "It is not sound for the LTTE to say that it will pull out. It is the Sri Lankan and Norwegian governments and the LTTE that are involved in the peace process. We urge the LTTE to stay in the process," he said.

He also cautioned that the ban should not be seen in concert with ongoing peace efforts, and dismissed reports that the Sri Lanka Government would be thanking Britain for banning the LTTE. "The British have not given a gift or granted a favour. It has as a sovereign state acted fairly and squarely within the scope of its anti-terrorism law, not deterred by whether or not it would interfere with the peace process. It is always welcome to see a government act on basis of principles," the minister said.

He readily acknowledged the benefits that the law would accrue to the Sri Lanka. "The bite of the law would be to prohibit fund raising. And we argued this point in our representations. We don’t still know what exactly will be done to deal with this."

The Minister explaining the definition of terrorism under the British law said that it was an "act in furtherance of any cause political, ethnic, religious that involved violence".

To the Sinhalese and Tamils

The minister offered a word of caution to the Sinhalese and the Tamils. "Do not treat the event (the ban) as a matter for gloating, exultation and glorification. The LTTE earned it because of brutal acts against all peoples," he told the Sinhalese. And he asked the Tamils not to "lose heart". "It must not be seen as a blow to Tamils by Britain. In so far as the LTTE pursues its goal by violent means, it becomes impossible. If it eschews violent means, then it is different. Tell the LTTE to turn over a new leaf and join hands with the moderates," he said.

Secretary to the Ministry G. Wijayasiri and Legal Advisor Dr. Rohan Perera were also present at the briefing.