September 5, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Saani26,1423

COLOMBO, Sept 4: The Sri Lankan government decided on Wednesday to lift a ban on the island’s Tamil Tiger rebels, ignoring opposition from the president and honouring a pledge before the two sides begin peace talks this month.

“Tilak Marapana informed cabinet that it would be lifted from midnight tonight,” a cabinet minister told Reuters late on Wednesday, referring to the defence minister who must approve the decision because the ban is under the ministry’s Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The government had said it would lift the ban at least 10 days before the Sept 16 talks begin even though President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who is elected separately, has demanded that the ban stay in place until the talks show solid progress.—Reuters