Colombo - Tamil rebel chief Velupillai Prabhakaran Thursday declared that his movement was looking to renew good relationships with neighbouring India.

Prabharkan in his annual speech to mark what the rebels call a "Heroes Week" coinciding with his 54th birthday said "We wish to express our goodwill and are looking forward to the opportunity to build a constructive relationship."

The rebel chief who is a wanted person by India for the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991, appealed to New Delhi to take constructive actions to lift the ban which remains a stumbling block to good relations between India and the rebels.

Prabhakaran also expressed his gratitude to the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu for the concern shown about the displaced persons in the northern part of Sri Lanka which prompted Tamil Nadu to send food aid to those affected.

The rebel chief's speech came as government troops intensified their military operations and reached the outskirts of a key rebel held town in the north. However, heavy rains and resistance from the rebels have delayed the advance of troops.

Prabhakaran vowed to continue with their "struggle for the freedom of the Tamil people," - a campaign for a separate state.

However, he said that though the LTTE adopted the armed struggle, it had always wished to solve the Tamil national problem through peaceful means. "We have never been against adopting peaceful means and we have never hesitated to take part in peace talks."

There was no immediate reaction from the government about the speech, but nearly half an hour before speech was released the air force bombed a communication tower in the north.

Usually his speech is broadcast and released through its official website, but it was not clear whether the rebels were able to broadcast the speech live over a clandestine radio and TV channel. (dpa)