Col. Karuna to remove Tiger from party name

Colombo, Oct. 24: Seeking to sever all linkages with the LTTE, the leader of the outfit’s breakaway faction Karuna Amman has decided to change the name of his organisation by removing the word "Tiger" from it.

"I have decided to remove the name Pullikal (meaning Tiger) from the TMVP (Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal) as it is disturbing the Sinhala community and international organisations" because common people know the LTTE as Pullikal, he told reporters.

Forty-two-year-old Karuna, was recently sworn-in as a member of Parliament representing the ruling coalition United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

The former rebel commander has directed Eastern Province chief minister Sivanesathu-rai Chandrakanthan to register TMVP under a new name. Meanwhile, the Sunday Times reported that the move came as Karuna took "a firm grip on the party following a tense stand off with the Eastern Province chief minister."

"This fresh move is aimed largely at winning the trust and confidence of the majority Sinhala people who might still be harbouring suspicions regarding the agenda and activities of the TMVP," the paper quoted him.

—PTI