UK reaffirms LTTE proscribed status amid London protest flags

The British High Commission declined to provide detailed comment on the recent displaying of LTTE flags in London by protesters objecting to the removal of a Thileepan statue from Nallur temple premises on September 27. When questioned about the incident, mission officials chose to sidestep further elaboration on the matter. The High Commission, however, reaffirmed the UK government's position that the LTTE remains a proscribed organization under British law. The organization has been designated as a terrorist entity by the United Kingdom and numerous other countries since its dissolution following the conclusion of Sri Lanka's civil conflict in 2009. The statue removal at the Jaffna temple prompted demonstrations among sections of the Tamil diaspora in the UK and elsewhere, with the protests drawing international attention to ongoing sensitivities surrounding memorials and historical symbols in post-conflict Sri Lanka.