Sri Lanka — LTTE Proscription under Emergency Regulations 1992 / PTA

Summary

Sri Lanka proscribed the LTTE under Emergency Regulations following the assassination of President Premadasa in 1993 (earlier stages under emergency powers from 1978). The LTTE ban remains in force. Sri Lanka additionally proscribed diaspora organisations including the Global Tamil Forum and British Tamil Forum under the ICCPR Act and PTA, claiming these were fronts for LTTE activities.

Relevance to the diaspora

Sri Lanka's claim that diaspora advocacy organisations are LTTE fronts is the primary justification used by the Sri Lankan government to deny visas, criminalise visits, and seek extradition of diaspora activists; this characterisation directly affects diaspora members' ability to visit family in Sri Lanka.

Key provisions

• Emergency Regulations — LTTE declared unlawful organisation 1978
• PTA s.2 — LTTE activities as 'unlawful activities'
• Proscription of diaspora organisations — Global Tamil Forum, British Tamil Forum etc.
• ICCPR Act s.3 — used to criminalise diaspora political expression

Primary source

Related entries

• → Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1979 (Sri Lanka) (LK)
• → Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka 1983 (LK)
• → Terrorism Act 2000 (UK)