The group, known as the TMVP, broke away from the mainstream Tiger rebels five years ago.

It was led by Vinayagamurthi Muralidharan popularly known as Colonel Karuna, who is now a parliamentarian.

The group later formed a political party and won regional elections, but had refused until today to give up its weapons arguing that they were at risk of revenge attacks from the Tigers.

Correspondents say the handover now, by part of the breakaway group, was largely symbolic as the former Tigers had been receiving protection from the Sri Lankan security services.