Tamil rebels refute Chandrika claims

Tamil rebels have refuted claims by President Chandrika Kumaratunga that they were willing to open talks with a future government of her alliance and that they were maintaining contact with the president.

Tamil rebel political wing leader, S.P. Thamilselvan in an interview to a newspaper said that there was no truth in a claim made by the president that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were maintaining contact with her.

He said neither has the LTTE made contact with Chandrika's party nor has her party made contact with the organisation.

"We have seen so many leaders coming out with contradictory statements even in the past. These leaders have been making these type of statements to the Sinhala people and I strongly believe such leaders are going to be judged by the people", he told the Sunday Leader newspaper.
"I feel people can't be taken for granted forever. They can read between the lines. So we want to leave it at that without going into various contradictory statements," he said.