Lankan navy seeks India's permission to interrogate LTTE cadres

Colombo, Feb 22 (UNI) The Sri Lankan Navy has requested Indian authorities to grant them permission to participate in the interrogation process of three suspected LTTE cadres, arrested by the Indian Coast Guard last week off the Indian sea while transporting arms and ammunition to Northern Sri Lanka.

''Through the Ministry of Defence, we have requested the Indian High Commission here to allow us to participate in the interrogation of the three LTTE cadres arrested by the Indian Coast Guard,'' a top naval official said.

The suspected LTTE boat was reportedly carrying a substantial quantity of explosives, including a T-56 assault riffle, five grenades, one suicide vest, barrels of ammonia and chemicals and was destroyed in the high seas off Chennai by the Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday after a week long detention.

''We now await a positive response from the Indian authorities,'' the Naval official said.

Sri Lanka's Defence Spokesman and Minister of Foreign Employment, Keheliya Rambukwella had urged India to take 'more action' to control LTTE activities in the region.

UNI