By Frances Harrison BBC correspondent in Colombo

The Tigers asked for help during an ANC member's visit last month

The Tigers consider themselves a liberation movement and have always supported the ANC.

Some reports say the Tigers considered moving their international HQ to South Africa when banned by anti-terrorism legislation in Britain.

Now the Tigers want help negotiating their way through the murky world of politics.

Lot to learn

A South African newspaper says the Tigers formally asked for help during a visit to Sri Lanka last month by one of the ANC's national executive committee members, a former party MP.

Quoting the head of the Tigers' peace secretariat, S Puleedevan, the South African Sunday Times says the Tigers are seeking support, expertise and advice on how to end the fighting in Sri Lanka.

It says the Tigers feel there is a lot to learn from the ANC.

The Tigers are also said to be keen on sending a delegation to South Africa to study its system of government, having already looked at federal models in Europe.