Mr. Anton Balasingham, theoretician and political advisor of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), a rare and aggressive malignancy of the biliary system.

Mr. Balasingham has had various medical investigations and is consulting oncologists about the possibility of treatment and the prognosis.

It is said in the reports that the cancer is in an advanced state and has spread to his liver, lungs, abdomen and bones.

”The exact kind of cancer will be known within a couple of days when the test report of his liver is released,” the media report said, adding that Balasingham was admitted to a hospital in London last Thursday.

Commenting on his illness, Mr Balasingham said that, “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. I am deeply sad that I am crippled by this illness, unable to contribute anything substantial towards the alleviation of the immense suffering and oppression of my people.”

Mr Balasingham is 68 years old and has been suffering from diabetes for 35 years.

Ten years ago, he developed renal disease, for which he underwent kidney transplantation.