This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7849684.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Last Tamil Tiger bastion 'taken' | Last Tamil Tiger bastion 'taken' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Sri Lankan troops have captured the last Tamil Tiger rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu in the north-east of the island, the country's army chief says. | Sri Lankan troops have captured the last Tamil Tiger rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu in the north-east of the island, the country's army chief says. |
| On Sri Lankan TV, Lt Gen Sarath Fonsek said troops had "completely captured" Mullaitivu after a month of fighting. | On Sri Lankan TV, Lt Gen Sarath Fonsek said troops had "completely captured" Mullaitivu after a month of fighting. |
| There has been no comment from the Tamil Tigers, who have suffered a series of reverses in recent months. | There has been no comment from the Tamil Tigers, who have suffered a series of reverses in recent months. |
| The government has vowed to crush the rebels, who have been fighting for a separate homeland for 25 years. | The government has vowed to crush the rebels, who have been fighting for a separate homeland for 25 years. |
| At least 70,000 people have been killed during the insurgency. | At least 70,000 people have been killed during the insurgency. |
| Stall tactics | Stall tactics |
| Announcing the capture of Mullaitivu, the general said victory in the area would render the conflict with the Tigers "95% over", the Associated Press reported. | Announcing the capture of Mullaitivu, the general said victory in the area would render the conflict with the Tigers "95% over", the Associated Press reported. |
| "We have completely captured Mullaitivu," he said. | "We have completely captured Mullaitivu," he said. |
| Earlier, a government spokesman said troops from the 59th division had entered Mullaitivu and that it was "a matter of time before they take full control of the area". | Earlier, a government spokesman said troops from the 59th division had entered Mullaitivu and that it was "a matter of time before they take full control of the area". |
| See map of the region | See map of the region |
| Tamil Tiger rebels blasted through the walls of a reservoir on Saturday in an attempt to stall the advancing troops, the military said. | Tamil Tiger rebels blasted through the walls of a reservoir on Saturday in an attempt to stall the advancing troops, the military said. |
| There is no way of confirming any of the claims as independent journalists are barred from conflict zone. | There is no way of confirming any of the claims as independent journalists are barred from conflict zone. |
| The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Colombo says the fall of the last main town under the Tigers' control would deprive the group of a crucial military base. | The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Colombo says the fall of the last main town under the Tigers' control would deprive the group of a crucial military base. |
| The government has won a string of military victories in recent months, including the capture of the rebels' de facto capital of Kilinochchi, cornering the rebels into a tiny pocket of territory in the island's north-east. | The government has won a string of military victories in recent months, including the capture of the rebels' de facto capital of Kilinochchi, cornering the rebels into a tiny pocket of territory in the island's north-east. |
| However, even with its strong advances, the rebels have shown on many occasions their capacity to fight a guerrilla war operating from secret jungle bases. | However, even with its strong advances, the rebels have shown on many occasions their capacity to fight a guerrilla war operating from secret jungle bases. |
| It is not clear what has happened to the residents of Mullaitivu. | It is not clear what has happened to the residents of Mullaitivu. |
| Earlier this week the military said it had designated a safe zone for civilians as it pushed ahead with its offensive in the area. | Earlier this week the military said it had designated a safe zone for civilians as it pushed ahead with its offensive in the area. |
| But as the fighting intensifies, aid agencies have expressed growing concern for the safety of 250,000 civilians reportedly trapped inside the conflict zones. | But as the fighting intensifies, aid agencies have expressed growing concern for the safety of 250,000 civilians reportedly trapped inside the conflict zones. |
| Many Tamils warn that the capture of territory from the rebels alone will not end the ethnic conflict and that they need a political solution for a lasting peace, our correspondent says. | |
| MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return | MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return |