Pathmanathan will be prosecuted under Sri Lankan laws: Govt

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan government has said it will prosecute the arrested new LTTE chief K Pathmanathan under the country's laws despite the rebel leader holding multi-passports including Indian.

"The issue of his being a Sri Lankan or a foreign citizen would not arise. He has to go through the legal process in Sri Lanka," Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has said.

Bogollagama described the arrest of KP as a major achievement and said it was achieved due to international support against terrorism.

Pathmanathan was arrested from a South East Asian nation on Thursday night and was brought here, Defence Affairs Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters.

Rambukwella assured that KP is in the custody of the defence authorities and will be dealt with according to the law of the land following investigations.

Meanwhile, a senior Sri Lankan official said that the Attorney-General will decide on the future course of action after investigations are completed.

"He may be a multifacet personality and has multi passports. But we will try him according to our domestic laws," the official said.

"Pathmanathan continues to be questioned by the Defence authorities," an official source said but refused to divulge further details.