Tamil Tigers deny slaying of Sri Lankan FM

Sri Lanka Tamil Tiger rebels have denied involvement in Friday night's sniper attack which killed Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

In a statement posted in the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website 'Tamilnet' Saturday, the rebel political wing chief S.P.Thamilselvan is quoted as saying that the slaying was the work of Sri Lankan armed forces operating with a hidden agenda to sabotage the ongoing Norwegian-backed ceasefire.

He urged the Sri Lankan government to conduct a thorough investigation, adding that there is a growing trend in the South to blame the Liberation Tigers for all killings.

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga had earlier in the day called for calm and restrain.

She avoided appending direct blame on the Tigers for the killing of his most trusted and loyal adviser.

The President's statement said that the government was committed to further a negotiated settlement to the ethnic crisis despite the murder.

Source: Xinhua