Government forces capture the LTTE’s de facto capital of Kilinochchi.
The Tigers first took control of the area in 1990; later it was recaptured by the Sri Lankan army forces during its operations in 1996. The LTTE again took control in September 1998 and held control of the town and its suburbs, locating its administrative hub there.
Sources
Kilinochchi captured in devastating blow to LTTE, The Hindu, 3 January 2009; Sri Lankan troops march into rebel headquarters, Reuters, 2 January 2009; In Pictures: Battle for Kilinochchi, BBC News, 2 January 2009; Kilinochchi falls, Daily Mirror, 3 January 2009; Mixed responses to Kili capture, Daily Mirror, 3 January 2009; Tamil Tigers prepare for last stand in Sri Lanka – but military victory is not political peace, Telegraph, 6 January 2009.
Quotations
“This is a major defeat for the LTTE. The fall of Kilinochchi means the LTTE will have their only territory in Mullaitivu. I would not say this is the end of the war, but it may be the beginning of the shrinking of major LTTE dominated areas,” Iqbal Athas, defence analyst with Jane’s Defence.
“The capture indicates very clearly that the LTTE’s attempt to build up a quasi-state has now collapsed,” Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA).
“Earlier, the Diaspora was wondering whether the Tigers will regain control of the A9 Road. However, that hope is no longer there now with the army capturing Kilinochchi which was the only big city that remained under Tiger-control. The LTTE has now lost control of all major towns in the North. The terrorists are now confined to their jungle hideouts,”
Karuna Amman, TMVP parliamentarian, formerly leader of the ‘Karuna Faction’.
“This will not be the end of the war. Even at this stage the LTTE holds a sizable land area and we appeal to the government to act sensibly and agree to a ceasefire as a prelude to a political settlement. There will be no victor or vanquished in a war of this nature. Both parties should meet at the negotiation table to achieve a permanent peace. The country had bled enough,” N. Srikantha, Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian.
“A major victory in the world’s battle against terrorism … the final message to the LTTE, to lay down their arms and surrender,” President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
