External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardane said yesterday the EU decision to lift the ban on the LTTE was a shot in the arm for the LTTE and the diaspora.

He told a media conference held at the Balapitiya SLFP head office that with this decision all EU members would regard the LTTE as a legitimate organization.
Mr. Gunawardane remained mum when journalists asked him about his alleged assault on former Sri Lankan High Commissioner Chris Nonis and on reports that he was not allowed to the Vatican during the recent visit by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

When the media asked about the alleged contract for the repairs to the embassy office in Geneva being handed over to a firm with LTTE-link and about the alleged connection between the husband of a senior lady officer of the External Affairs Ministry and the contractor and about the report sent to him by Tamara Kunanayagam, he said he knew nothing about it.

Mr. Gunawardane also rejected the claim made by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera regarding the statement made by Kunanayagam. He said the Monk had issued the statement without knowing the facts and asked the Monk to ascertain the facts before making statement to the media.(Hemanth De Silva)