Sri Lankan Media Ministry yesterday confirmed that the Customs Department had stopped the release of the latest issue of the Frontline magazine in Sri Lanka due to a reproduced interview with slain LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. 

The controversial interview had been first published in 1987 by the magazine. 

Karunarathna Paranavithana, Secretary of the Media Ministry of Sri Lanka had told the state run Daily News newspaper the Customs officials had sent a few copies of the magazine to the Defence Ministry, and then the Defence Ministry had directed the matter to the Media Ministry.

The Secretary had told the newspaper he received two copies of the magazine, adding that they are now probing whether its content could have any effect on the national security. The Secretary had assured that the issue would be settled soon, adding that the decision would be announced shortly.

He had also said that the government has not taken any decision to ban the Frontline Magazine. The Frontline Magazine is an Indian National Magazine from the Publishers of THE HINDU.