Selvarasa Pathmanathan, Tamil Tigers New Leader, Arrested By Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka says that a wanted arms smuggler who recently took over as the new leader of the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels has been arrested overseas.

Government information director Anusha Pelpita said that Selvarasa Pathmanathan was arrested Thursday in a foreign country which he refused to name.

Local media reported the arrest was made in Thailand, where authorities could not be reached immediately for comment.

Pathmanathan has been sought by Interpol for smuggling arms for the Tamil Tigers.

He took over as the rebel chief after their defeat in May and death of leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Soon after, Pathmanathan said the group would use nonviolent means to seek an independent state for the island's ethnic Tamil minority.