Govt rules out military crackdown against LTTE

Ruling out any military crackdown against the Tigers, the Lankan Govt asked them to 'think afresh' on resuming negotiations.

Sri Lanka on Tuesday ruled out any military crackdown against the Tamil Tigers following the European Union ban on them and asked the rebels to "think afresh" on resuming negotiations.

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The EU putting the rebel outfit on its list of terrorist groups would not lead to any military adventure by security forces, said the government.

"The government is of the firm conviction that solution to the issues at hand have to be sought only through political means and not through military means," a statement from President Mahinda Rajapaksa's office said.

"It therefore rejects any suggestions that these measures by the international community would or should encourage any military options by anyone."

"The government hopes that this clear and firm message would provide a fresh impetus and encouragement to the LTTE to think afresh and resume talks with the assistance of the Norwegian facilitators," the statement said.

For their part, the Tigers said before the ban was slapped that it would jeopardise the Norwegian-backed peace initiative.