The military is now targetting the port town of Mullaitivu and other rebel strongholds in the north as it presses on with the deepest push into rebel-held areas to bring an end to the 25-year separatist war.

There has been no coment from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on the fall of Kilinochchi, for long the centre of the Tamil fight for an independent homeland in which more than 70,000 people have been killed.

"MI-24 helicopters attacked rebel positions west of Mullaitivu in support of ground troops," said a military source asking not to be named in line with national security policy. More...Discuss this story Published: Fri Jan 2 22:51:27 EST 2009

In a special address to the nation on state television hours after the troops smashed into the town through three different points, President Mahinda Rajapaksa described it as a “major victory in the world’s battle against terrorism.” He reiterated the resolve of his government to continue the fight till the LTTE was “fully and finally defeated,” and asserted it was “the final message to the LTTE, to lay down their arms and surrender.”

The defeat of the Tigers in Kilinochchi capped a series of military victories by the forces in the east and the north since the current phase of hostilities began in July 2006. With the loss of Kilinochchi and all major bases in the district, the Tigers are now confined to the jungles of Mullaithivu district. More...

Discuss this story Published: Fri Jan 2 14:57:19 EST 2009

"The Sri Lankan government now seems to have made a gain through a military gain," State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid told reporters.

"We would also like to see that the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil opposition enter into a discussion that will resolve the legitimate issues held by the Tamils," Duguid said, adding that "the differences they have should be resolved peacefully." More...Discuss this story Published: Fri Jan 2 20:38:22 EST 2009