Colombo, Aug 23: India has gone into a "sleepy mode" and is unaware of the growing strength of Tamil Tigers in north-eastern district of Trincomalee that could threaten Indian interests, a top aide of Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has said.
New Delhi had been lulled into believing that there was peace in Sri Lanka, President's international affairs advisor and former foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar told the Foreign Correspondent's Association of Sri Lanka last night.
"India has gone into a sleepy mode. To the extent that they consider the only problem for them is Pakistan," he said.
Kadirgamar, who had just returned from New Delhi, said he drew India's attention to the growing strength of Tamil Tiger rebels in the north-eastern port district of Trincomalee where Indian Oil Company has a facility.
"India must be ready. India must be prepared and should not be taken unawares," he said suggesting that the rebels could go back to fighting despite a truce in place since February last year.

He said India should consider setting up a separate cell in New Delhi to study and analyse the developments in Sri Lanka because he felt that the Indian authorities did not have a correct assessment of what is going on here.
Bureau Report