Is Lankan government mulling Idi Amin type exile deal for Prabhakaran?

London, Apr 16 (ANI): To end the island nation's age old long bitter conflict, the Sri Lankan Government is reportedly trying to broker a deal that may allow Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to lay down his arms and escape into exile.

The government has sent "feelers" to the LTTE to see whether such a deal would be possible, The Independent reported.

The deal could also see the remaining fighters, who are trapped along with 150,000 civilians in the north of the country, being rehabilitated.

One possible location mentioned for the rebel leader's exile is Thailand, where, in the south of the country, the LTTE is said to have strong support.

Such an arrangement would be highly controversial, both in Sri Lanka and internationally, but some within the government believe it would be a price worth paying to end the conflict.

"If there was an absolute guarantee? That he will not dabble in terrorism or politics - that is an Idi Amin situation, then it might work," said one source in Colombo, referring to the former Ugandan dictator who in 1979 went into exile until his death.

Last night, amid continued protests by UK Tamils in London's Parliament Square, Foreign Secretary David Miliband called on the Sri Lankan Government to announce a new ceasefire, adding that both sides must "abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law". (ANI)