Prohibition of the LTTE in the United Kingdom

The Government of Sri Lanka has informed that the UK Home Secretary has decided to maintain the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) under the United Kingdom Terrorism Act No. 7 of 2000.

This decision by the Home Secretary following the decision of the Commission on Appeals on Prohibited Organizations (POAC) rejects the request of an LTTE front to lift the ban on the LTTE in the United Kingdom.

Therefore, the LTTE is a banned organization in the United Kingdom, as well as in more than 30 other countries around the world, including the European Union.

The LTTE was initially banned in these countries due to the group’s cruelty and atrocities targeting civilians and democratically elected leaders, their involvement in organized crime, and other criminal activities affecting global and regional security. Continuing to maintain the LTTE ban around the world, financing terrorist activities through its international network, radicalizing youth to violent extremism and creating ethnic disunity and the remnants of those groups working to disrupt the collective life of every country in which they are active A recognition of the continuing threat.

The Government of Sri Lanka appreciates the partnership with the United Kingdom and all Governments in the global fight against terrorism and is committed to working with the United Kingdom to reduce terrorism and violent extremism that threaten the lives of citizens and threaten global and regional peace and security.

Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo 20
September 2121