Minister says suicide bombers are among the detained Tamil Tigers

Power and Energy Minister WDJ Seneviratne told journalists in Ratnapura, in Sabaragamuwa province, that 14,000 LTTE suspects are currently detained in different detention centres.

"These people are not somebody we can release soon; because some of them are suspected to be connected to very serious incidents," he said.

Minister Seneviratne also said that "a considerable number of suicide bombers" are among the detainees.

Military figures

Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara however told BBC Sinhala service that just over 11,000 LTTE suspects are currently in custody.

	Minister says Mr. Moon is under the influence of the USA 'to corner Sri Lanka'

There were nearly 12,000 suspects in detention, he said, but the number was reduced after the release of 712 former LTTE combatants on Saturday.

The main opposition candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka has pledged to grant a general amnesty to all LTTE suspects following rehabilitation.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) pledged to support Fonseka candidacy days after he submitted a proposal named "Immediate Relief Measures for War Affected Persons," to the TNA leader.

Minister Seneviratne accused the international community of trying to "corner Sri Lanka" on war crimes charges.

He alleged that the UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon is also under pressure to take action against Sri Lanka.

"Ban ki Moon has also called for an investigation. He is under the influence of the United States," Minister Seneviratne said.