Former LTTE rebels, who split from the Tamil Tigers in late 2004, surrendered arms on Saturday at a public function in Sri Lanka's eastern Batticaloa province.The former Tiger rebels, who formed Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) party, surrendered their arms through the party's Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan in the presence of its senior leaders.
The former Tiger rebels, who formed Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) party, surrendered their arms through the party's Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan in the presence of its senior leaders."The LTTE has been dismantled militarily by the security forces and that is why the TMVP has decided to give up the limited number of weapons it held and that too for its personal security," senior Cabinet Minister and government Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told media on Friday.
Rambukwella said the former Tiger cadres who broke away from the LTTE had carried arms to defend themselves from the rebels.
"The laying down of arms indicates that the former Tigers believe the LTTE is no longer a threat to their lives," he said.
The weapons were handed over to the Army Eastern Commander at a public function at Weber Stadium. The arms included 56 T-56 guns, one T-81 gun, 40 RPG shells and 6,700 rounds of ammunitions, according to reports.
The TMVP has been accused by the Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other NGOs of recruiting children and engaging in extortion in its war against the LTTE in the past.
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