The government said today any attempt to promote or glorify the LTTE either directly or indirectly even under the cover of media freedom was illegal and violators would face prosecution in the courts of law.

Media Center for National Security Director General (MCNS) Lakshman Hulugalle said in the recent past there had been many attempts to promote and glorify the LTTE in some parts of the country.

Meanwhile, issuing a statement Army Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said:

The LTTE is a proscribed organization in Sri Lanka as well as in several other countries worldwide. LTTE terrorists have carried out a large number of destructive attacks against people and public institutions/facilities in Sri Lanka. Several heads of states including a President of Sri Lanka and a Prime Minister of India were among their targets. The population representing all ethnicities including Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims suffered three decades of terrorism and violent acts carried out by the LTTE which is known as one of the most ruthless terrorist organizations the world has ever seen.

Promoting and propagating separatist ideology within Sri Lanka directly or indirectly, even by using media freedom, and attempting to commemorate or glorify terrorists that belonged to a proscribed organization would be illegal.