By Xinhua,
Colombo : The High Court here Monday issued arrest warrants against Tamil Tiger rebels’ chief Velupillai Prabakaran and three others for the murder of Sri Lanka’s former foreign minister.
The police, however, told the court that Prabakaran’s arrest was not possible due to the ongoing military operation in the north, where he is believed to be hiding. The case will be heard again May 13.
Former foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was shot dead in his home in August 2005. Kadirgamar had led the government’s international campaign to ban the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Prabakaran and other members of the group are currently on the run. The speculation is rife that he might have fled the country through the sea route.
The LTTE lost its administrative headquarters in Kilinochchi early this month. Its last stronghold, Mullaithivu, was also captured by the troops Sunday.
Sri Lanka’s Army Chief Sarath Fonseka said 95 percent of the task to eliminate terrorism from the country has been achieved.
The LTTE has been fighting the government troops for more than two decades to create a separate homeland for minority Tamils in the north and east of the country, claiming discrimination at the hands of Sinhalese dominated regimes. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict.