LTTE ban will go 10 days before talks begin: Lanka

Sri Lanka said on Friday it would lift a ban on Tamil Tiger rebels 10 days before the peace talks expected to begin later this month or in July. Lifting of the ban is a key demand of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for launching direct peace talks with the government to end the long ethnic war.

‘‘It is the intention of the government to de-proscribe the LTTE about 10 days before commencement of talks,’’ Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris said, not giving any details.

The lifting of the ban as well as announcement of a firm date for talks have been widely awaited as they would take further the peace process, which started with a ceasefire deal in February.