Military says they do not maintain any links with paramilitaries

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said the monitors should prove their allegations that the SLA officers are aware or closely working with the paramilitary groups operating in the north and the east.

Denying accusations by the monitors and the LTTE, he told BBC Sandeshaya that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is yet to provide evidence to prove the allegations.

Paramilitaries

"SLA does not help any armed group in government-controlled area," he said.

But the monitors have insisted that the SLA are maintaining close links with the splinter group led by former senior LTTE leader, V Muralitharan alias Karuna.

SLA does not help any armed group in government-controlled area   Military spokesman

In a report issued in March last year, SLMM chief Hagrup Haukland said their monitors have found clear evidence that the SLA officers did not interfere Karuna camps in Thivuchchenai/Diwulsena.

The camp was abandoned after a visiting SLA officer warned them to vacate the premises, according to the report.

Kalpitiya clash

But the SLMM is yet to provide evidence on military colliding with the paramiltaries thereafter.

Commenting on the attack on Sri Lanka Navy vessel on Saturday, Brigadier Samarasinghe said military authorities informed the SLMM that the Tamil Tigers are transporting weapons using fishermen.

	SLMM says SLA had links with Karuna group in Thivuchchenai

"But the Sri Lanka Navy should not inform the SLMM of military operations," the spokesman told bbcsinhala.com.

Six Tamil Tiger rebels have died after blowing up their vessel off Sri Lanka's north-west coast, the military says.

The blast came as the navy approached the rebel boat which was suspected of gun-running, a military spokesman said.

Eight sailors are missing, while 11 others were rescued. The navy gunboat was also destroyed in the explosion. The Tamil Tigers denied involvement.

Warning of escalation of violence, the SLMM says ‘based upon previous experience’ it is difficult to rule out Tigers’ involvement.