COLOMBO (AP) - The commander of the Tamil Tigers fled the Jaffna peninsula before troops could seal off the northernmost area from the mainland, military officials said yesterday. Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Tamil Tigers' chief, and his close aides moved south into adjoining Mullaittivu district on Sunday when troops launched their latest offensive against the guerrillas, officials said.
More than 300 rebels and 33 soldiers have been killed since Sunday, when 6,000 troops launched an offensive to block two roads and a lagoon that separate the peninsula from the rest of Sri Lanka.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks