Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have accused the military of ambushing and killing one of their top political figures.

They say the attack will severely hurt efforts to forge lasting peace after two decades of civil war. The political head of the Tamil Tigers' eastern wing, E. Kousalyan, was shot dead along with three companions late on Monday in a government-controlled area in Sri Lanka's restive east.

A driver and a pro-rebel former member of parliament were also killed. Kousalyan is the most senior rebel killed in more than two years. Sri Lanka's military has denied any hand in the ambush.

(CCTV.com February 10, 2005)