Sri Lanka launches probe into mystery poster campaign

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka have launched a probe into a mystery poster campaign that is asking would-be Tamil Tiger suicide bombers to turn themselves in to government hands in return for cash.
The campaign, run by an unknown pro-peace organisation, was urging extremists to change their minds in exchange for a new life overseas and 10 million rupees (93,000 dollars)."Police have launched an investigation into these mysterious posters that appeared in predominant Tamil areas in Colombo.
The government has no hand in these posters," military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.The posters, which show the picture of a suicide bomber's severed head, reads: "You also were born to live. Why should you carry bombs?"It asked those contemplating taking up the offer to call a government operated telephone line.But Nanayakkara said: "I myself called that phone number 118 today several times and it went unanswered. We think the poster campaign is a hoax, someone is trying to create some mischief."
The rebels use suicide bombers to stage devastating attacks mainly against security forces.Last November, the Tigers said 343 suicide bombers, including 93 women, had died since November 1982, when the first Tiger loss was recorded, though the organisation was formed 10 years earlier.The Tigers are fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils from the majority Sinhalese community in the island's north and east.