Britain on Monday said it would take into account Sri Lankan government's request to ban LTTE from functioning from its soil while preparing a list of international terrorist organisations to be proscribed operating from the country. Rejecting a newspaper report in Colombo criticising the British government for harbouring senior LTTE leaders like Anton Balasingham, who was currently functioning as LTTE spokesman in London, British High Commissioner in Colombo Linda Duffield said, “Far from being soft on terrorism, we are determined that UK should not be used as a base for spreading terrorism.
Duffield said in a statement that Britain is considering which organisation to ban and will take into account Sri Lankan government's request that the LTTE be proscribed. Britain has held wide ranging consultations, including with the Sri Lankan government before drafting the terrorism act which would come into effect in about six months time.

The high commisioner's statement followed recent stern warning to the LTTE delivered by the British Deputy Foreign Minister Peter Hain during his visit to colombo stating that the rebel group should begin peace talks with the Lankan government to find a negotiated settlement within the unity and integrity of the island. Bureau Report