Jerusalem: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka has alleged that the Tamil Tigers maintain links with international terror groups such as PKK and certain affiliates of al-Qaeda. "According to some experts on terrorism, they maintain contacts with other terror groups such as PKK, Taliban, Islamic groups in the Philippines and even some affiliates of al-Qaeda," he said.
The Sri Lankan leader also said that certain reports mentioned about Tamil youths receiving training in Palestinian camps in Syria and Lebanon. "The black tigers are responsible for suicide operations and have perfected suicide bombings and assassinations. It is generally believed that they learnt it from some Palestinian groups," Wickremanayake told a gathering here, speaking on the current situation in his country and vision for the future.
On a four-day working visit to Israel, the first by a Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Wickremanayake has held talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. He will also be travelling to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.
During his meeting with Olmert, Wickremanayake noted that his country has been dealing with a severe terrorism problem that is affecting both the daily life as well as the national economy, a statement from the PMO said. "Do not give in to terrorism because it will only bring destruction to your country. Terrorism must be fought; one must not capitulate to it," the statement quoted Olmert as saying to the Sri Lankan leader.
Earlier, Wickremanayake said his island nation shares a lot of commonalities with Israel and both the nations have been at the receiving end of terror attacks.
