Dinasena Ratugamage who visited rebel held Kilinochchi reported that the LTTE flag was flying at half mast and black flags were hoisted in Kilinochchi while solemn music was played through the public address system.

In a statement issued on Tuesday the LTTE political wing said that the killing is "is a serious violation of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) that provides for the travel of unarmed LTTE members" in territory under government control.

The statement came while the body of the slain Tiger leader Eliyathambi Lingarajah alias Kaushalyan along with five others were brought to the Batticaloa teaching hospital.

Shanthi Selvadurai reporting from Batticaloa said that the bodies escorted by SLMM personnel were given security by the Sri Lankan Military.

District Administrative officer Daya Mohan speaking to journalist in Batticaloa said that this attack would not have been possible without the knowledge of the Sri Lankan military.

"LTTE" responsible

He said that "traitors dressed in military uniform" have carried out this attack.

Denying any involvement in the killing of the senior LTTE leader sri Lanka military spokesman Brigadier Daya ratnayake said that the LTTE should bear the responsibility of the deaths of its own people.

He said that the LTTE leaders have been warned by the Sri Lankan military about travelling in government held areas as there was a threat to Tigers since the Karuna group split from the LTTE in last April.

Adding that the military provided security for LTTE leaders for the past three years, the spokesman said that state security was not informed of Kaushalyan's Monday tour.

However, the Sri Lankan military said on Monday that the vehicle including Kaushalyan entered government held territory on Monday (07) afternoon across the Omanthai military check point.