Tamil Tigers mourn for ideologue

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The leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers says the death of the movement's chief ideologue, Anton Balasingham, is an "irreplaceable loss" to the movement.

Mr Balasingham died of cancer on Thursday in London where he lived.

Tiger leader Prabhakaran described Mr Balasingham as the "central figure" in the Tigers' diplomatic efforts.

Analysts say Mr Balasingham was a restraining influence on Prabhakaran. His death comes as fighting with the military has steadily worsened.

'Grief and loss'

The Tigers have announced three days of mourning for Mr Balasingham, who for years was the movement's chief negotiator in internationally-mediated peace talks.

Prabhakaran paid fulsome tribute to Mr Balasingham, who he referred to as Bala Annai, in a statement to the media.

Balasingham (left) with Norwegian mediators

"Bala Annai, from whom I sought advice and solace, is no more with us. It is an irreplaceable loss for our entire nation and for me.

"His death comes at a time when we needed him most, as our freedom struggle intensifies. I cannot find words to express my grief and loss.

"He was [the Tigers'] elder member, its ideologue, its philosopher and, above all, my best friend who gave me encouragement and energy."

Prabhakaran conferred on Mr Balasingham the honour of Voice of the Nation.

There has been no official comment from the government.

BBC Sinhala service editor Priyath Liyanage says that Mr Balasingham will be remembered as perhaps the only person able to criticise certain decisions of the Tiger leader who is revered - and feared - for his teachings and diktats.

He provided a thread of hope for a peaceful resolution to the seemingly intractable and escalating conflict of Sri Lanka, our analyst says.

Main contact

Last month it was reported that Mr Balasingham, 68, had bile duct cancer which had spread to his liver, lungs, abdomen and bones.

He was the main contact for peace brokers such as Norway as well as other key international players involved in attempts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the island's protracted separatist conflict.

Mr Balasingham held a British passport and lived in London. The UK classifies the Tigers as a terrorist group.

When news of his illness emerged in November, he said: "It is an unfortunate personal tragedy.

"However, when compared to the vast ocean of the collective tragedy faced by my people, my illness is merely a pebble," he told the pro-rebel Tamilnet website.

Ten years ago, he underwent a kidney transplant.

This year has seen a sharp escalation of violence in Sri Lanka with both sides accused of flagrant violations of a 2002 ceasefire.

Peace talks in Geneva in October ended in failure.

Some 3,500 people have died in violence this year, according to government figures.

The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a Tamil homeland since the 1980s.