"Do not give in to terrorism because it will only bring destruction to your country. Terrorism must be fought; one must not capitulate to it," said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka.

A statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's office quoted Olmert as saying to the Sri Lankan leader during the first day of the Sri Lankan leader's four day visit to Israel that terrorism has to be fought against severely.

The visiting Prime Minister of Sri Lanka said in Jeruselam that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is maintaining strong relations with internationally accepted terrorist groups like PKK and some affiliates of the dreaded Al Qaida.

Quoting experts of terrorism Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, who happens to be the Indian Ocean island republic's first Prime Minister to visit Israel said that "Sri Lanka's LTTE maintain relations with PKK, Taliban, and some affiliates of the Al Qaeda."

Speaking about the current situation in Sri Lanka the Sri Lankan leader said, "The black Tigers are responsible for suicide operations and have perfected suicide bombings and assassinations. It is generally believed that they learnt it from some Palestinian groups."

Premier Wickremanayake has held talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

He will also be travelling to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.

On a four-day working visit to Israel, during his meeting with Israel Prime Minister Olmert, the SL Premier noted that his country has been dealing with a severe terrorism problem that is affecting both the daily life as well as the national economy, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Prime Minister Wickremanayake said his island nation shares a lot of commonalities with Israel and both the nations have been at the receiving end of terror attacks.

Courtesy - Sri Lanka Defence