Future of Tigers 'in the army'

Not integrating the Tigers could cause 'a problem'

By the BBC's Amal Jayasinghe in Colombo

The top military commander in Sri Lanka has urged his senior officers to consider integrating Tamil Tiger rebels into the armed forces if Norway succeeds in brokering peace in the island.

Lieutenant General Lionel Balagalle said the battle for peace was more difficult than conducting a war.

But he stressed his support for efforts by the new government to open political negotiations with Tamil separatists.

In an address to a Unicef-sponsored workshop on the treatment to child soldiers, General Balagalle said on Wednesday that the military had to address itself to absorbing former militants into society before they were confronted with a problem.

Any eventuality

The Sri Lankan army chief said it had to have plans to absorb at least some of the Tiger combatants when they lay down arms and enter the political mainstream.

Both sides are observing the ceasefire

Both sides are currently observing a truce with Norway trying to formalise a cessation of hostilities agreement within about a month before opening face-to-face talks.

General Balagalle says the military is prepared to face any eventuality if the latest peace efforts suffer the same fate of several previous attempts at ending the bloodshed.

But, he said, peace must be given a chance to succeed.

The general said the truce begun by the Tigers on Christmas Eve and reciprocated by the military was holding except for minor violations.

The authorities say they are working on a mutually agreed arrangement to establish a monitoring mechanism to ensure a more structured and a stable cease-fire.