Colombo, Mar, 1 : Velupillai Prabakaran, the reclusive leader of Sri Lanka's rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is reported to be suffering from a badly gangrened leg, which could be amputated.

According to an Asian Tribune report, Prabhakaran is holed up in a highly secret location in Wanni that has been declared out of bounds for senior LTTE cadres, including Pottu Amman, the intelligence Chief and Sosai, the head of the Sea Tigers.

Prabakaran who is also critically diabetic and has an injured shoulder needs immediate hospitalization, said the report.

The paper quoted reliable sources as saying that a specialist doctor and a medical team were flown into the Wanni region from Tamil Nadu to treat Prabhakaran.

The Asian Tribune further said that authorities in Tamil Nadu were aware of the medical team's visit to the Wanni region, but id not interfere. No reason was given for this.

Prabhakaran was injured in the shoulder during an aerial bombing in January. He had an old injury which he sustained in an aerial bombardment in November.

Gangrene - is a complication of necrosis (i. e., cell death) characterized by the decay of body tissues, which become black and malodorous. It is caused by infection or ischemia, such as from thrombosis (blocked blood vessel). It is usually the result of critically insufficient blood supply (e. g., peripheral vascular disease) and is often associated with diabetes.

Sources further revealed that taking Prabakaran out of the country for treatment is risky. (ANI with inputs)