Colombo: Sri Lankan government today
formally communicated to India the proof and details of the
death of LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, a move expected
to help New Delhi to close the investigations into the Rajiv
Gandhi assassination case.
Indian law and intelligence agencies had sought proof
of the death of Prabhakaran to wind up various inquiry
committees probing the death of the former Prime Minister.
Rajiv Gandhi was killed by an LTTE female suicide
bomber on May 21, 1991 at an election rally in Sriperumbudur,
Tamil Nadu. His assassination was suspected to have been
ordered by the Tiger chief Prabhakaran and plotted by his
intelligence head Pottu Amman.
"Sri Lanka has formally conveyed to India the death of
(LTTE leader) Velupillai Prabhakaran," a top official source
told.
"We have formally told Indian authorities about
Prabhakaran's death," the official said when contacted, adding
this was done last month.
"As for the death certificate of Prabhakaran sought
by India, the matter is lying with the Attorney General's
department (of Sri Lanka)," he said.
Prabhakaran's body was found near Nandikadal lagoon
(in the No Fire Zone) in Wanni in May as thousands of Sri
Lankan troops converged on the remnants of once-powerful
Tamil Tigers for the last decisive battle, which ended 30
years of civil strife on the island.
Sri Lankan government had maintained that India will
have to follow the standard "procedure" for seeking
extradition of Prabhakaran if he was to be captured by the
security forces.
Since there was only an Extradition Arrangement
between India and Sri Lanka, short of a treaty, deportation of
wanted people could be undertaken only on grounds of mutual
requests.
"The deportation of wanted people by the two countries
could be taken up on mutual request or through the Extradition
arrangement," the official said.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken a
positive view on the issue of Prabhakaran's extradition even
when the LTTE war was on.
"You should realise Prabhakaran was involved in the
assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the
Sri Lankan government will consider any request for his
extradition if he is caught," Rajapaksa had told a gathering
early this year.
India had consistently sought Prabhakaran's
extradition for trying him for the killing of Rajiv Gandhi.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, December 12, 2009, 15:31