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by Ranga Jayasuriya

The Army yesterday refused legal representation in "LTTE court" on behalf of the soldier in LTTE custody.

"The Army does not accept the legality of a court which does not derive its mandate from the Sri Lankan constitution," a senior army official told the Daily News adding, that " so we will not send lawyers to appear on behalf of the soldier".

He said the Army is not informed by the LTTE to send lawyers.

The LTTE said it expected a state lawyer to appear on behalf of the soldier Nihal Kumara, when he is produced before the "LTTE court" in Kilinochchi on January 10. Soldier Kumara was detained by the LTTE ahead of the forward defence line in Welioya two weeks before and remanded till January 10 by a "LTTE court".

Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Deputy Chief Hagruph Haukland said the LTTE had informed the SLMM to get the dispute solved, when the soldier is produced before the court.

Haukland said the arrest is a retaliation by the LTTE for a series of arrest of LTTE cadres by the Police during the past month.

"This is a tit for tat act, " he said.

ICRC Spokesman Sukumar Rockwood said the ICRC was transferring messages between the Security Forces and the LTTE calling for the release.

"When he is produced before the court, there are two options. The LTTE may withdraw the case so that he can walk out as a free man or he will be bailed out", Rockwood said.

Parents visited the soldier last week under ICRC assistance.

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