Colombo: Accusing Tamil Tigers of killing a soldier and a military informant, the Sri Lankan Government today (Nov 19, 2004) questioned the rebels' commitment to the Norwegian-backed peace process aimed at ending three decades of ethnic bloodshed.

Spotlight: Lanka Peace Process

The killing of a soldier from the military intelligence unit and an informant in the island's east yesterday (Nov 18, 2004) had all the "hallmarks" of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Government said in a statement.

"This is a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement which calls on the parties not to engage in assassinations," the statement said.

"The continuing violations cast doubts on the seriousness of the commitment of the LTTE."

It also raised doubts about the LTTE's interest in observing the Norwegian-led peace initiative, the statement said.

The two men were shot dead in the district of Polonnaruwa. The attackers opened fire as the victims rode a motorcycle, the officials said, adding that investigations were under way to track down the killers.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The military has blamed similar attacks on the Tamil Tigers.

The Government has accused the Tigers of killing more than 250 rivals, including military informants, since the Norwegian-brokered ceasefire went into effect from February 23, 2002.