The Tamil Tigers sought the South African government's permission to establish a political office in Pretoria as it considered itself ``an ally'' of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), party sources said today.Though the government of President Nelson Mandela is yet to make a public statement on the issue, it is understood to have denied permission to the separatist outfit.

Visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar hoped Mandela ``will never allow the LTTE to set up bases in South Africa.''

On the LTTE's reported move to shift its base here from London following stringent anti-terrorism laws recently passed by the United Kingdom, sources said that during the liberation struggle in South Africa, the Tigers supported the ANC even as the Sri Lankan government obtainedarms and ammunition from the apartheid regime.

``So the LTTE felt its application would be considered favourably,'' the sources added.

The Tigers also felt that if the PLO could establish an office in Pretoria, it would be able to do the same, they pointed out.

Kadirgamar's visit followed President Chandrika Kumaratunga's talks in Colombo with the South African high commissioner to India, Jerry Mantsila.Kadirgamar, who arrived on Sunday, has already held talks with his South African counterpart, Alfred Nzo, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and other prominent leaders.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Eelam Support Movement in Durban has announced its decision to hold a ``Tamil heroes remembrance ceremony'' on Sunday to honour ``fallen heroes'' in the Eelam and Tamil participants in the South African liberation struggle.

The South African Tamil heroes include Valiamma, a young girl who died in prison in the early 1900's after she was arrested for taking part in Mahatma Gandhi's passive resistancecampaigns.

Lanka casualties

COLOMBO: At least 118 Tamil Tiger militants were killed and 56 injured in stepped up anti-militancy operations by the military in Sri Lanka's embattled northeast during the past three weeks, while the security forces suffered marginally, a spokesman said on Thursday. Operation Jayasekuru has been ``going on vigorously'' in and around the Jaffna peninsula causing heavy casualties and damage to LTTE terrorist camps, the spokesman added.