COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, March 4 (UPI) -- Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka Thursday appeared to be facing a split in the group that has fought for two decades to attain a separate state.
News of a rift within the Tamil Tiger rebel movement was preempted by reports that a rebel commander popularly known as Karuna had left the main force, Voice of America reported Thursday.
Media reports said Karuna, who commanded rebel troops in eastern Sri Lanka, would lead his own faction, but abide by a two-year ceasefire with the government.
Norwegian mediators have refused to comment on reports of a rift in the group.
Sri Lanka is in the process of campaigning for general elections on April 2. The rebels are not contesting the election directly, but are backing a group of Tamil parties.
