By P. Karunakharan, IANS,
Colombo : Sri Lankan troops had captured the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political capital Kilinochchi, President Mahinda Rajapakse announced in an address to the nation Friday.
The fall of Kilinochchi, which marks the rebels’ biggest loss after the fall of the Jaffna peninsula 13 years ago, was described as an “unparalleled victory of the entire nation” by the president, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
“This is not only the victory against the LTTE, but a resounding victory against the global war against terrorism. Today, the entire world has appreciated our troops for effective campaign against terrorism,” he said.
Hailing his troops for the effective campaign against the LTTE, Rajapakse urged the LTTE and its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran “to lay down their weapons and surrender”.
Troops advancing from various directions towards Kilinochchi, 350 km north of here, had fully captured the well-fortified former rebel stronghold. On Thursday, troops had taken over strategically important townships such as Paranthan and Iranaimadu.