Colombo: The breakaway faction of Tamil Tiger rebels today (Mar 3, 2004) called for a Defence pact with Sri Lankan security forces and a fresh truce to replace the Norwegian-brokered ceasefire, Defence sources said.

The new faction of the Tamil Tigers led by the Eastern commander, V Muralitharan, better known as Karuna, made the request to the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry, officials and rebels close to Karuna said.

The request underscored the problems with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) despite the Tiger leadership in the North of the country saying they were only facing a temporary crisis that would be resolved soon.

Despite the unprecedented crisis there was no outward sign of any trouble brewing, local residents said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Defence Ministry, which is now run by Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga who wrested control over security forces in November after a power struggle with her rival Prime Minister.

Kumaratunga had acted against Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe after accusing him of granting too many concessions to the Tigers during six rounds of peace talks and eventually dismissed the legislature controlled by him.

Snap elections have been scheduled for April 2, nearly four years ahead of schedule.

Norwegian truce monitors held crisis talks today with the Tiger leadership in the North of the country, but details of the discussions were not disclosed.