Colombo - Tamil Tiger rebels warned yesterday that a spate of Sri Lankan air strikes on guerrilla-held territory could permanently damage a Norwegian-brokered peace initiative.
Sri Lankan air force jets bombed rebel bases in the north of the country throughout the weekend and the government said the air raids were necessary to pre-empt a rebel offensive.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) denied allegations it planned an assault and said in statement the air strikes, the first in months, had been timed to whip up support for the ruling coalition ahead of a no-confidence vote in parliament later this month. More than 64,000 people have been killed in the war.