SL declares 24 hour deadline for LTTE to surrender

Colombo, Apr 20: The Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday, Apr 20 declared a last 24-hour deadline for Tiger Supremo V Prabhakaran and his top aides to surrender.

More than 35,000 civilians trapped in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled areas in the embattled northern regions of the country have fled the region. This according to Rajapaksa was an indication of the LTTE's 'complete defeat'.

"With the influx of people, we have given a final warning to Prabhakaran and his terrorist group to surrender to the government forces within 24-hours from 12 noon," said defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella.

"Thereafter will be a military course of action. That is the best option," he added talking to reporters at Colombo.

According to the Lankan President, a video captured by the Sri Lankan Air Force of the people fleeing showed that the people were defying the rebels and were running for safety.

There were allegedly three suicide bombers who attacked the rescue operations, which has received sinister disapproval of the government against the LTTE. And the government accused LTTE of using the civilians trapped in the region as shields for their own safety.

OneIndia News