Several members of Sri Lanka's opposition have expressed their "serious" concern at the government move to partially lift a ban on Tamil diaspora organisations, claiming that the security of the island was now at risk.
National Freedom Front leader and Colombo MP Wimal Weerawansa told Ceylon Today that "this is a very serious situation... which will pose a serious security threat to the country, which would also pave the way for separatism as well". The move "has compromised the security interests of the country," he added.
His comments were echoed by LSSP General Secretary Prof. Tissa Vitharana who said "the government has caved into international pressures and those of the Northern political leadership, " adding "there is always the risk of separatism in the not too distant future".
MEP Leader and Colombo District UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena also criticised the move, alongside Communist Party General Secretary D.E.W. Gunasekera, who said "This was a bad decision which has been taken by the government and it should also take the responsibility of any serious situation arises in terms of national security and separatism".
Meanwhile former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the move to de-proscribe the groups was "a definite threat to national security".
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