Tamilselvan says ceasefire is not under threat as a result of the killing

Denying any involvement in the assassination, S.P. Tamilselvan, leader of the political wing of the LTTE blamed Sri Lankan government and the security forces to immediately accuse the LTTE without carrying out proper investigations.

“We strongly condemn this attempt to put the blame on us and we strongly deny any involvement in this assassination,” he told BBC’s Tamil Service.

However, the LTTE did not condemn the killing of the senior minister.

'Traitor'

Although a member of the country's Tamil minority, Mr Kadirgamar was strongly opposed to the separatist ambitions of the Tamil Tiger rebel movement, which considered him a traitor.

We strongly condemn this attempt to put the blame on us and we strongly deny any involvement in this assassination SP Tamilselvan

Police say the Tamil Tigers were behind the killing and are questioning a number of people.

The Tamil Tigers said there were many other forces in Sri Lanka opposed to the three year old ceasefire.

Tamilselvan said violence by the security forces and paramilitary groups will put the ceasefire agreement in jeopardy, not the assassination.

Ceacefire agreement

“I don't think this incident will increase the differences between us and the Sri Lankan government. We have already made it clear that the violent acts and murders by the security forces and the paramilitary groups have intensified in recent months.”

Minister Kadirgamar was shot in the head and chest at his home on Friday night.

He was a close confidante of the president and an outspoken critic of the rebel organisation.

He had frequently said he was on the LTTE’s death list and was one of the most closely guarded ministers in the government.

The late minister led an international campaign to outlaw the rebel group, getting them banned in several countries, including Britain and America.