Amman new LTTE incharge, Prabhakaran unwell: SL Govt

LTTE's dreaded intelligence chief Pottu Amman has taken the overall command of the outfit amid the "fast deteriorating mental health condition" of its supremo V Prabhakaran, says Sri Lankan Defence Ministry.

LTTE's dreaded intelligence chief Pottu Amman has taken the overall command of the outfit amid the "fast deteriorating mental health condition" of its supremo V Prabhakaran who is hiding in the No Fire Zone in Sri Lanka's north, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

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The No Fire Zone in Pudukudiyirippu area of Mullaittivu, though demarcated by the government as a safety zone for civilians held by the Tamil Tigers, has now also become the sanctuary for the top rebels leaders, including LTTE supremo Prabhakaran, it said.

"Pottu Amman, the so-called intelligence leader of the LTTE, has now taken the overall command of the terror outfit" with Prabhakaran's mental health condition "fast deteriorating," the ministry said in a statement.

Amman, having no battlefield experience, has reportedly appointed Velawan, "the last remaining LTTE battle-hardened cadre, as the outfit's new military chief," the ministry quoted the sources as saying.

Amman is also a wanted key accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case in India.