Army takes Tiger Tamil headquarters in Kilinochchi

“What our heroic troops have achieved is not only the capture of the great fortress of the LTTE, but a major victory in the world's battle against terrorism. The entire world must today appreciate the outstanding success of the Sri Lankan troops,” the President went on to say.

So far the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have not issued any statement. Kilinochchi was their operational centre and the expected capital of their future state. Its loss represents a major blow to Tamil Tigers the .

In thanking the whole population of Sri Lanka the president urged the rebels to abandon their armed struggle.

“One must not belittle this victory as one that has been won by one community over another. It should not be interpreted as defeat of the North by the South. This is a victory for our entire nation and country,” Rajapaksa said.

The president pledged to protect the northern population as well as the north’s future generations.

He also urged his fellow Sri Lankans to be patient and remained committed to the struggle until rebel forces, now holed up in Mullaitivu jungle, are completely defeated.

Army Chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka explained how the operation against Kilinochchi was carried out, describing the broader offensive the armed forces undertook in the last few weeks. He noted that the fall of Paranthan yesterday was followed by the taking of the strategic hub of Iranamadu which left the path open to the capture of the Tamil Tigers’ stronghold today.

Lieutenant General Fonseka said that about 1,500 rebel fighters were killed in the last two months, but that an estimated 1,700 to 1,900 were still left at large.

These figures have not been independently verified—in fact, both sides have traditionally inflated enemy casualties.

As soon as news about Kilinochchi’s fall became public, celebrations began in earnest around the island nation. However, spontaneous rejoicing for the army’s victory was marred by a suicide attack near an air force base in Colombo.

A man on a motorcycle blew himself up killing two people and injuring 14 airmen and 22 civilians, three of whom are in critical conditions in Colombo’s National Hospital.