Sri Lankan troops capture LTTE’s political hub Kilinochchi
January 2nd, 2009 - 6:32 pm ICT by IANSColombo, Jan 2 (IANS) 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.
- Sporadic gunfire as troops consolidate in Kilinochchi - Jan 04, 2009
- Troops tighten hold on Kilinochchi, vow to hunt down Prabhakaran (Lead) - Jan 04, 2009
- Lankan troops capture LTTE's political hub Kilinochchi (Lead) - Jan 02, 2009
- Fall of LTTE's political hub of Kilinochchi inevitable: Sri Lanka (Second Lead) - Jan 01, 2009
- Lankan troops capture Kilinochchi railway station (Lead) - Jan 02, 2009
- Troops enter perimeter of LTTE hub Kilinochchi: Sri Lanka - Jan 02, 2009
- LTTE garrison town captured by army: Sri Lanka (Lead) - Jan 01, 2009
- 35 killed as troops break through LTTE defence line: Sri Lanka - May 09, 2009
- Sri Lankan troops capture LTTE airstrip in Mullaitivu - Jan 10, 2009
- LTTE's Iranaimadhu airstrip captured: Sri Lankan military - Jan 15, 2009
- Sri Lanka steps up attacks on LTTE after taking rebel headquarters - Jan 03, 2009
- Sri Lankan troops enter Tigers' last major bastion (Third Lead) - Jan 25, 2009
- Sri Lankan troops search for LTTE chief - Jan 17, 2009
- Surrender, Rajapaksa urges LTTE as troops capture rebel bastion (Second Lead) - Nov 15, 2008
- After Kilinochchi, fall of Elephant Pass imminent: Military - Jan 04, 2009
Tags: jaffna peninsula, liberation tigers of tamil eelam, liberation tigers of tamil eelam ltte, mahinda rajapakse, political hub, prabhakaran, rebel stronghold, resounding victory, sri lankan troops, terrorism today
