Colombo: LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran would never face the Sri Lankan security forces closing in on his last stronghold of Mullaitivu and would flee the country, a senior minister has said.
"Our troops are on the verge of wiping out the LTTE and most of its leaders are now trying to either surrender or flee the country," Transport Minister Dallas Alahapperuma said.
But, the minister said, "Doors were still open," for the LTTE to bring the conflict to an end by surrendering.
"Prabhakaran has no courage to face our soldiers. He might try to flee. Yet, some elements are attempting to breathe new life into the terrorists who are now on their last legs," the Minister said.
Alahapperuma claimed that the country would be able to celebrate a historic Independence Day in 2009, implying that by that time the security forces were expected to overrun all tiger bases.
He said, "Mullaitivu will also fall into the hands of the Government soon." "While hailing the role played the security forces, we should also commend the contributions made by media personnel," the minister told a gathering here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has put its Navy on alert to prevent any possible attempt by the LTTE leader to leave the island through sea route, according to officials.
LTTE chief Prabhakaran is suspected to be hiding in the Mullaitivu area. Air Force officials have said that the raids were targeting a well-identified LTTE hideout. These strikes come after air assaults on two LTTE positions in Iranamadu on Tuesday.
The Sri Lankan military has had a string of victories over the rebels in recent weeks. The rebels are now confined to the jungles and lagoon district around Mullaitivu on Sri Lanka's northeast coast.
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