A female Tamil Tiger leader was shot and wounded near an army checkpoint in eastern Sri Lanka in an attack that could rekindle violence in the volatile region.
Unknown gunmen shot the leader of the Tigers' political wing for the eastern district of Ampara, Kuveni, and two other female rebels in Ampara Monday, the BBC reported. All three women were admitted to a local hospital, Kuveni reportedly with serious injuries.
The army dismissed rebel claims that it was responsible for the attack, suggesting it was likely a rival rebel faction.
Fierce factional fighting between rebel groups has plagued the region in the past year. Last month five rebels were killed in the region, including senior leader E. Kousalyan.
The government and the rebels have maintained an uneasy three-year truce, but efforts to establish a permanent peace have been shelved since April 2003, over the Tamils' demand for self-rule.
The latest attack came as Britain's Prince Charles was visiting the region to view the devastation caused by December's tsunami.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
