The presence of armed groups is an 'obstacle to free and fair elections'

In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, TULF leader Veerasingham Anandasangari says the existence of armed groups in the east is an obstacle to free and fair elections.

The TULF will contest the elections with an alliance irrespective of the threat posed by the armed groups, he told BBC Sandeshaya.

'Public knowledge'

The veteran politician who categorically reject Tamil Tigers as sole representative of Sri Lanka's Tamils, was reluctant to name the militant groups in the east.

	UNP says the Govt. is trying to rig the eastern PC elections

It is public knowledge that armed groups are present in the east and who they are, Mr. Anandasangari said.

Asked what would his reaction if president does not take any action to disarm the group, the TULF leader said he only made a request and it is up to the president to take action.

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) has raised serious concerns over members of Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), also known as Karuna faction, still carrying weapons in the region.

STF camps replaced

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake earlier told BBC Sandeshaya that the government has removed special police commando camps in the east to pave the way for TMVP to rig the elections.

Admitting that 25 percent of STF camps have been replaced by the Sri Lanka army in Ampara district, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakakra said it was only an strategic move.

The TMVP, currently led by Pillayan, is accused by the United Nations and other rights groups of gross human rights violations including child recruitment.

The faction was formed by Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna, who currently serve a prison sentence in UK, after breaking away from the LTTE.

The elections for the eastern PC are to be held in May, this year.