The Sri Lankan government captures Thoppigala, in what is claimed as the last LTTE base in the Eastern Province. Army chiefs claim that the “victory” gave the government control of the area for the first time in 13 years.
Sources
East in control, Colombo to tackle LTTE in north, The Hindu, 13 July 2007; Sri Lanka says captures last rebel stronghold in east, Reuters, 11 July 2007.
Quotations
“We have liberated the East so that the people could be free from the clutches of the LTTE. We will now concentrate on developing the east and holding elections so that the eastern people also could elect their representatives for democratic institutions freely,” Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Cabinet Spokesperson.
Related events
Capture of Thoppigala
First elections in East for 14 years
Killinochchi recaptured
Recapture of Sampur from LTTE
