Tamil Tigers expel rebel leader | BBC

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Tamil Tigers expel rebel leader


The Tamil Tigers expelled Colonel
Karuna (right) for acting traitorously

Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have expelled a renegade commander in the east of the island.

They told reporters that Colonel Karuna had been dismissed because of his betrayal and stressed that he was a lone individual without supporters.

The rebel commander reportedly dubbed the move "ridiculous" because he said he had already left the movement.

One of his officials quoted him as saying that he would not relinquish control of his 6,000 troops.

The BBC's Frances Harrison says the split could be very disruptive to the island's already ailing peace process.

But the head of the Tigers' political wing, SP Thamilselvan, said they remained committed to peace and would ensure negotiations were not disrupted by the actions of a single individual.

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