The breakaway LTTE faction, headed by ‘Colonel’ Karuna, has been accommodated in an ongoing ICRC programme to enhance respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) among combatants in Sri Lanka.

Before Karuna broke away from the Tigers in March 2004, the ICRC had conducted IHL classes for the LTTE.

Well informed sources said that the TMVP, which obtained political recognition early this year, would benefit from the ICRC recognition.

Responding to our queries, authorities emphasised that this wouldn’t mean the ICRC had recognised the group’s right to carry arms in the East where it wields political power due to its expanding relationship with the government.

"In a bid to increase the understanding of and the respect for IHL, the ICRC conducted more than 20 sessions for about 1,200 persons, including civilians, TMVP cadres and government security forces," ICRC spokesperson Ms. Sarasi Wijeratne told The Island.

The military welcomed the ICRC’s decision as it would help the TMVP to improve discipline among cadres deployed in the Eastern Province. The TMVP maintains several camps in the region to thwart an LTTE build-up. The presence of the TMVP and their relationship with the armed forces had allowed security authorities to identify infiltrators.

Under an unprecedented political agreement between the SLFP-led ruling coalition and TMVP had successfully contested local government elections in the Batticaloa district before winning the first Eastern Provincial Council elections on the government ticket.

Under the leadership of Karuna and then Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan the TMVP had facilitated the military campaign in the East, particularly in the Ampara-Batticaloa theatre before the army mounted offensive action on the Vanni front.

The government has accepted the TMVPs position that it would carry arms until the total destruction of the LTTE. On the other hand, the UNP’s call to disarm the group has been endorsed by the US and EU.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Robert Blake on Monday reiterated his call for the disarming of all armed groups in the East. Blake who was visiting Nintavur and Kaluwanchikudy to open two vocational training centres said that armed groups should be disarmed.