The leader of the TNA, R Sampanthan, categorically disassociating himself and the TNA from the LTTE on Tuesday, criticised the Sri Lankan government for being the LTTE leader's "buddy", weeks after the party won an election with Velupillai Prabhakaran's photograph on the front cover of its election pamphlet.

Speaking in Sri Lanka's parliament, Sampanthan said:

"I heard many people talk about the TNA today. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to deal with all that. But, you have much more to do with the LTTE than me. I do not know who KP is. I have not seen him. But, he is your buddy.

There is a Minister in your Cabinet who has been referred to the LLRC Report in regard to something that happened in Batticaloa sometime ago. You had the former Chief Minister in the Eastern Province who did not win this time. You made him win.  I have nothing to do with the LTTE. You have a lot to do with them.

Can you deny the fact that the LTTE influenced the election verdict in your favour in December, 2005? Can you deny that? So, please do not throw stones at us. We have nothing to do with the LTTE. We worked with them to bring about a political solution when we needed to work with them, but beyond that we never had any talk with the LTTE. I want to say that on the Floor of this House, and I want everyone of you to get that very clearly, that you have much more to do with the LTTE than I have or that we have.”

Yesterday's remarks follow on from a similar attempt to distance himself and the party from a statement by the TNA MP Sritharan the day before Maaveerar Naal, stating the majority of Tamils in the North-East see Velupillai Prabhakaran as the nation's leader.

See our TG view: Representing 'extremism'