A debate arose in Parliament on Tuesday over the ban on a number of organisations being lifted.

MP Dullas Alahapperuma speaking at the parliament said:

Do you accept this ban was lifted  not based on a political decision made by the government? ‘

Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella stated:

“… When you were in power, all Tamils were branded as terrorists …”

MP Dullas Alahapperuma:

“… Do you accept that the decision was made on intelligence reports? …”

Lakshman Kiriella:

“… We held discussion with the intelligence services and Interpol and then made the decisions …”

MP Dullas Alahapperuma:

“… Let’s assume that making this decision in November based on the intelligence reports, is justifiable. However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs make this announcement to the world on the 18th of March…”

Lakshman Kiriella:

“… We have not made any arbitrary decisions…”

MP Dullas Alahapperuma:

“… Do not destabilise the intelligence services …”

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijeywardena meanwhile stated:

A committee was appointed for this and the Secretary of Defence was the Chair of the committee.

The Minister noted that the foreign minister is also in the committee adding that it also comprises of representatives from the Terrorist Investigation Department, the Criminal Investigations Department , Military Intelligence, State Intelligence Service, the Attorney General’s Department, the Foreign Ministry, the Financial Crimes Investigations Division and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

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