Sri Lanka's claim 'untrue': Vaiko

Chennai, Jan 2 (UNI) MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, a staunch supporter of Eelam Tamils, today described as ''untrue'' the Sri Lankan Government's claim that LTTE Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was fatally attacked in an air raid by the Lankan Military on November 26.

When asked about the health condition of Prabhakaran, Mr Vaiko told reporters here that the Lankan Government was spreading a ''canard'' in this regard.

''It (the Lankan Government) is having the habit of spreading such false news against anti-Tamils. There is no truth in it,'' he added.

It may be recalled that nearly a month after the reported air attack, the Lankan Government claimed two days back that the LTTE Chief might have either been killed or critically wounded in the attack.

Though the LTTE had officially denied it, the Lankan Government had said it could not be confirmed. ''Only the LTTE could confirm it,'' the Lankan Government was quoted as saying by its local media.

UNI GV SJ SV DS1520