Colombo, May 12: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels said today they were training more fighters to maintain their military strength. "The arms' training given to our cadres is to strengthen the security of our people and our military infrastructure," Col. Pathuman, the rebel's military commander in eastern Trincomalee city, was quoted as saying by a website. The statement came as a senior US official was visiting the Island nation to help revive stalled peace talks between the rebels and government. The rebels last month suspended talks, accusing the government of not doing enough to resettle thousands of displaced Tamil civilians.
While both sides say a return to armed conflict is unlikely, observers fear that the rebels' refusal to disarm could damage the peace process. Sri Lanka's main opposition party has criticized the rebels for maintaining their military, including the feared Black Tigers suicide squad, despite signing a ceasefire with the government in February 2002. "When we lose our military strength that will be the end of the peace process. Demonstration of our military strength is a key to sustain the peace process," Thilak, a rebel political leader, was quoted as saying by the website.
"Every successive government in power speaks of a peaceful solution to the problem. But at the same time they procure arms and strengthen their military structure," Thilak said. Bureau Report