Prevent public LTTE commemorations and displaying of terrorist insignia; National Joint Committee

National Joint Committee yesterday urgently requested the  government to prevent public LTTE commemorations and displaying of  terrorist insignia.   

Co-presidents of National Joint Committee Lieutenant  General Jagath Dias and Dr. Anula Wijesundara urged that appropriate  authorities should take proactive measures to monitor, restrict and  prevent events glorifying LTTE in any form, while stressing that the  government officials ensure such commutations – whether on private or  public lands are subject to the law of Sri Lanka regarding banned  organisations and incitement to violence. It also called on the relevant  authorities to issue clear public guidelines ahead of May 18/19, other  sensitive days   

The statement issued by the National Joint Committee also said the following.  

We recognise and respect the grief of all who lost loved  ones in the war – civilian or military – but we stand firmly against the  glorification of terrorism under the guise of memorials. LTTE is banned  in Sri Lanka and 32 nations.   

We can empathise with the fact that for a mother/father, a  terrorist remains their daughter or son. However, to mourn her/his  terrorist child, he/she does not need an LTTE eternal flame, LTTE yellow  & red flags, LTTE Eelam flag or photos of dead LTTE to garland.  There is no one preventing mourning his/her own child at home or a place  of religious worship.   

As concerned citizens committed to preserving national  security and unity, we urgently request your immediate attention to  prevent any public events that commemorate the LTTE or promote  separatist sentiment through the display of LTTE flags, insignia, or  tributes to known terrorists or lighting an eternal flame.   

Let Sri Lanka move forward in peace-not under the shadow of the past that threatens to return under new names and banners.