Lankan Govt frees 4 rebels ahead of talks

The gesture was seen as one of goodwill ahead of peace talks with the Tamil Tiger rebels in Geneva.

The Sri Lankan government on Friday released four members of the Tamil Tiger rebels, a spokeswoman for the European ceasefire monitors said.

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The gesture was seen as one of goodwill ahead of peace talks with the rebels.

"We confirm that four Sea Tigers were released and handed over to the LTTE," said Helen Olafsdottir, a spokeswoman for the European cease-fire monitoring team.

Members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's naval wing are called Sea Tigers. The four were released in the northeastern port town of Trincomalee after years in prison.