Prabhakaran calls for less reliance

LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran made a rare public appearance on Tuesday, his first since tidal waves devastated the island, and urged Tamils in areas under his control not to depend on handouts.

Prabhakaran visited the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi, LTTE guerrillas said, ending weeks of speculation he may have died in the December 26 disaster. LTTE posted pictures on their website of the 50-year-old rebel leader meeting aides handling relief operations in guerrilla-held areas.

‘‘Let this disaster not turn our people into a community dependent on relief aid and I request you in earnest to formulate plans that would provide them the impetus to build a future of their own,’’ Prabhakaran said. — PTI