Tigers welcome removal of ban

The LTTE has welcomed the lifting of the four-year ban on its functioning in Sri Lanka, saying the main impediment to the commencement of ta...

The LTTE has welcomed the lifting of the four-year ban on its functioning in Sri Lanka, saying the main impediment to the commencement of talks later this month in Thailand has been removed.

LTTE political wing chief S.P. Thamilselvan said in an interview to the BBC in rebel-controlled northern Sri Lanka that the ban had been the ‘‘biggest impediment’’ to the peace process. In the militant group’s first reaction to the government’s notification lifting the ban two days ago, Thamilselvan praised Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s ‘‘courage and strength of will’’. The present government’s attitude gave reason for hope about the success of the peace efforts, he said.

The steps taken by the government to implement the ongoing indefinite truce with the LTTE a formal agreement on ceasefire was signed in February were ‘‘encouraging’’, he added.

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Meanwhile, President Chandrika Kumaratunga gave another signal that she is not happy with the state of affairs with regard to the government’s dealings with the LTTE and permissive attitude towards its demands.

Her office released a letter that she had written to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last month seeking a detailed report on the government’s agreement allowing LTTE cadres to use the north-eastern sea board to travel from one LTTE-held area to another on vessels fitted with weapons.

Bahraich faces new ‘wolf attacks’: 4 children mauled, 16 injured this month

Cities56 min ago

As many as four children have been killed and 16 injured in wild animal attacks, suspected to be wolves, in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district this month — a chilling reminder of similar incidents that haunted the region last year. The body of one of the children is still missing. All those injured are adults, except for one child.

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