The Sri Lankan government has expressed concern after judges of European Union (EU) on Thursday (16) struck down anti-terrorism sanctions imposed on the LTTE.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has released a statement which said that it was mindful that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision may have an impact, including from a security perspective, on the large majority of Sri Lankans living in EU territory, as well as EU citizens of Sri Lankan origin, who are likely to come under pressure once again by pro-LTTE activists.

The statement further maintained that Sri Lanka was confident that the European Commission and the EU member states would take the “best possible decision” on the future course of action to be taken in this regard.

The EU had proscribed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation in May 2006.

Apart from the EU, the LTTE is proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the U.S., India, Canada, the U.K. and Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, MDMK general secretary Vaiko has reacted to the judgment, stating that the development was like a spark of light in a dark sky.

“It is certain other countries will also follow this judgement and remove the ban [on LTTE]. I stress that India too should recognise the LTTE as a liberation force and remove the ban on the organisation,” he said in a statement.