Tamil rebel's truce plea rejected

The rift could cast a shadow over peace moves

The Sri Lankan government has rejected a call for a separate truce with a renegade rebel commander.

Colonel Karuna, a Tamil Tiger commander in the east, broke ranks after facing the threat of disciplinary action.

The rebels and the government signed a ceasefire agreement in 2002, which is still holding despite a breakdown in peace talks.

But the unprecedented split in the rebel ranks has plunged the fragile peace process into jeopardy.

A top defence ministry official said on Friday the government could not agree to Colonel Karuna's request for a separate defence pact.

When there is one ceasefire agreement signed, how can we have another one with a member of one of the parties? Defence Secretary Cyril Herath Profile: Breakaway rebel

"When there is one ceasefire agreement signed between the prime minister and [rebel chief] Prabhakaran, how can we have another one with a member of one of the parties?" Defence Secretary Cyril Herath asked in remarks to AFP news agency.

But he said the government hoped that fighting would not break out between the two sides.

"Both sides have indicated that they will abide by the ceasefire that is currently in place," Mr Herath said.

The BBC's Frances Harrison in Colombo says internecine warfare between the Tamil Tigers is the worst-case scenario.

Analysts say the government cannot afford to deal with Colonel Karuna for fear of angering Tamil Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Independence

It is not yet clear why the colonel, a Tiger commander in the east, has split away.

A split could also complicate forthcoming elections

He was thought to be unhappy that the bulk of the rebel fighters come from the east and yet all the top leadership comes from the north of Sri Lanka.

Our correspondent says this is a virtual declaration of independence from Mr Prabhakaran, a man who has brooked no dissent in the past.

Few could have predicted the crisis, she says, in a disciplined and secretive guerrilla movement like the Tigers.

Colonel Karuna was part of the Tamil Tiger team taking part in peace talks, which have been on hold for nearly a year.

Rival groups

His move could complicate peace moves, putting the Norwegian mediators and the Sri Lankan government in a difficult position.

Rebel sources say it is not clear yet whether some of the thousands of men and women under his command will join him in splitting from the main Tiger group.

That would seriously complicate the peace process by dividing the rebel movement into two rival groups in the north and east.

It is not clear why such grievances should surface now, just as the country is gearing up for general elections next month, our correspondent says.

The peace process is in a state of limbo at present with the prime minister and president divided on the best way of bringing an end to a conflict that has killed more than 60,000 people.

The debate over the peace process is expected to be one of the main issues in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.