Sri Lankan president hails victory as army seizes Tamil Tiger capital

Government claims its army has captured separatist Tamil Tigers' capital Link to video: Sri Lankan troops enter Kilinochchi

The Sri Lankan army today seized control of Kilinochchi, the low-lying northern town in which separatist Tamil Tiger rebels had put together the institutions of their long sought-after independent state.

The major symbolic victory for the government could also prove a decisive turning point in the country's 25-year civil war.

"This was an unparalleled victory," the president, Mahinda Rajapakse, said in a televised speech from his office.

"Kilinochchi was the capital of a state dreamt of by a terrorist organisation. It will no longer be available to them. We should pay the gratitude of the whole nation to those heroic soldiers who achieved that victory."

Soon after the announcement, a loud blast rocked the Sri Lankan air force headquarters, opposite a luxury hotel in the heart of the national capital, Colombo, as a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing three people and injuring 37.

Tamil Tiger suicide bombers have often previously targeted Colombo.

Military officials told Reuters that the dead and 12 of the wounded were air force personnel. Most of the civilians injured were said to be passengers on a passing bus.

"Kilinochchi's recapture is a big psychological boost for government forces," Jehan Perera, of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, said.

"But it's still not clear whether the ability of the rebels to fight as a guerrilla and terrorist group has also diminished."

Rajapakse called on the rebels to cease fighting, saying: "This is my last appeal. Surrender, put down your arms, and come to the table."

Kilinochchi served as the political, administrative and judicial headquarters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) - popularly known as the Tamil Tigers - and it was in the town that rebel leaders met foreign envoys and Norwegian peacemakers.

Until late last year, UN aid agencies were also located there before they were forced to leave by the army offensive. The town only fell after months of fierce fighting on the outskirts, in which scores of people died.

More than 70,000 people have been killed since the LTTE, led by Velupillai Prabhakaran, began an armed struggle for a separate state in 1983, pitting Tamil fighters against Sinhalese government forces.

Analysts warned that the fall of Kilinochchi does not mean an end to the civil war is near.

"Kilinochchi's capture is a significant achievement which is bound to demoralise the LTTE," the Colombo-based political and strategic affairs analyst Lasantha Wickremesinghe said.

"But the town was captured by government forces once before in 1996, and the Tigers took it back two years later."

The Tigers are a resilient, battle-hardened force and still control other towns in the region. Although Kilinochchi is back in government hands, the LTTE's top leadership, heavy weaponry and military cadre remain intact.

The Sri Lankan army has enjoyed a series of successes since calling off a six-year ceasefire, brokered by Norway, a year ago after accusing the rebels of using it as cover to regroup and rearm.

The military's next major target is likely to be Mullaitivu port, the "naval headquarters" of the LTTE.

There was no immediate response from the Tamil Tigers to news of Kilinochchi's fall, but Perera ruled out the possibility of talks, saying: "Rajapakse's offer needs to be first backed by a political proposal [relating to Tamil demands]."

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