By Frances Harrison Colombo correspondent

Celebrations honouring Tamil Tiger suicide fighters are being held in government-held towns in Sri Lanka for the first time, thanks to the country's peace process.

Tamil Tiger rebels say 240 of their members have carried out suicide attacks over the years.

Among those killed in their attacks are the late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former President Premadasa of Sri Lanka.

The current Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, narrowly survived an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber and lost the sight in one eye.

The first Tamil Tiger suicide attack occurred in 1987, when fighters drove a lorry packed with explosives into an army camp, killing more than 100 people.

Ceremonies

Services were organised throughout the north and east of Sri Lanka on Friday, to honour all Tamil suicide bombers.

Reports from the northern Jaffna Peninsula say school children remembered the dead militants by lighting oil lamps in the morning.

It is an annual event in rebel-controlled territory but this is the first time such celebrations have taken place in government-held towns.

In the eastern town of Batticaloa, a public meeting was held in the afternoon at which the Tamil Tigers released an audio cassette of music in memory of the 240 Black Tigers - as the suicide fighters are known.

Controversial

The meeting was addressed by a senior rebel leader - until recently a wanted man - who told the audience the success of the Tamil struggle was due to the sacrifice of the suicide squads.

And in Vavuniya, a chariot containing all the photographs of the suicide bombers has been touring the villages for people to pay their respects and a procession is also being planned.

Many have lost loved ones in suicide attacks

For many in the south who have lost relatives at the hands of suicide bombers these open celebrations may seem extremely provocative.

But they do show there is much more freedom of expression than there was just last year, when it was unthinkable for anyone to express sympathy with the rebel cause in public.

And they also demonstrate the extent to which the Tamil Tigers are moving freely in government areas and exerting their influence, despite being banned as a terrorist group.

Rebel radio said 18 women were among the dead suicide fighters and 117 were from their naval wing.