LTTE sacks ‘traitor’ rebel leader

He said the expulsion will have no bearing on the Norwegian-brokered truce as well as the peace process.

‘‘This is the work of one individual and he does not have the support of the men who were under him,’’ Thamilselvan said. ‘‘We have called him here for a disciplinary hearing, but he has not turned up.’’

It was not immediately clear what action the Tigers would take against 37-year-old Karuna.

‘‘Karuna…instigated by some malicious elements opposed to the liberation struggle, acting treacherously to the Tamil people and the Tamil Eelam national leadership, has planned to secede himself from the liberation organisation,’’ the statement said, adding the commanders and cadres under him have refused to follow his orders. Meanwhile, Karuna today refused to relinquish his command, one of his senior officers said.

Karuna was cited by one of his top officers as saying: ‘‘There will be no change in my position. I will not give up my command,’’ the official quoted him as saying. ‘‘It’s very ridiculous to make a statement that I am expelled, when it was we who first decided to break away and have our own administration.’’

Karuna’s Deputy T. Ramesh was promoted as the LTTE’s new commander for the eastern districts of Batticaloa and Ampara.

Military officials said Tigers had abandoned their positions in built up areas in the east and were retreating to the jungle, raising fears of factional fighting in the rebel outfit.