LTTE's motive to create ethnic backlash: Rajapaksa

Colombo, Jan 7 (UNI) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa alleged that the Tamil Tiger rebels' attaks on Sinhalese in southern part of the country was aimed at creating an ''ethnic backlash''.

''Through these attacks, the LTTE has attempted to thwart the government's efforts to find a peaceful solution to the grievances of the Tamil community,'' the State-run Sunday Observer quoted the President as saying yesterday.

He said the LTTE motive behind the twin bomb blasts in Nittambuwa and Telwatta (Godagama) was to create a backlash in the South and urged the public to exercise restraint.

Mr Rajapaksa made these remarks after holding a special meeting with his security top brass and the Defence Ministry officials to discuss the security situation in the country following the blasts that left at least 20 killed and over 75 wounded.

He also urged the people, especially the employees in public transport services, to be vigilant and to extend their fullest support to the police and security forces to prevent the recurrence of such attacks.

The President's allegation came despite the LTTE official's denial of their involvement in these attacks.

LTTE's spokesman on military matters Rasaiah Ilanthirayan, in a statement said yesterday, rejected the charges, saying the allegations were ''baseless''.

''The government's attempt to blame the LTTE is aimed at discrediting it. This is a feeble attempt by the government which stands accused of horrendous and repeated crimes against humanity carried out against the Tamil people,'' LTTE Peace Secretariat quoted its spokesman as saying.

Police questioned three people in connection with the second bus blast at Telwatta, while 24 people were reportedly detained for questioning with regard to the first bus blast at Nittambuwa on Friday.

UNI