By Xinhua
Colombo : The Sri Lankan military said Wednesday it has captured Thoppigala, the last stronghold of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the island's Eastern Province.
"Today (Wednesday) the Sri Lankan Army reached Thoppigala, the LTTE nerve centre in the east, and assumed full control," said a statement of the Media Centre for National Security.
The statement said a small number of LTTE cadres have withdrawn to the jungles to the west of Thoppigala and the troops are in the process of continuing to clear those areas.
The Army Headquarters in Colombo said the capture of Thoppigala brings all of eastern Sri Lanka under government control for the first time in 13 years.
"A large stock of torched LTTE vehicles including two double cabs, five tractors fully loaded with dry rations, one bulldozer, five motor bikes, one canter lorry and several other equipment were captured by marching troops," the military said on its official website.
There was no immediate response from the rebels to the government's claim.
The news of the military success came as the Norwegian ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hans Brattskar was visiting the rebel held Kilinochchi district to meet with the LTTE's political leadership.
Foreign ministry officials said that although this was to be a "farewell call" by the ambassador on the rebels, he would also be discussing the possibility of peace negotiations with the LTTE.
Fighting erupted in the Eastern Province in July last year, and government troops managed to capture two key LTTE strongholds in the province since then.
Sampur, the seat of the rebel administration fell in September while Vakarai, another key point was captured by the troops in January this year.
The government has been saying it was only a matter of time before the entire east came under government control.
The LTTE has been fighting for an independent homeland for Sri Lanka's 12.5 percent Tamil minority since the 1970s.
About 5000 people have died in the escalation of the conflict between government troops and the LTTE since the end of 2005.