Lanka throws open area where Prabhakaran made his last stand

Colombo, Mar 9: Three years after its army dealt a death blow to Tamil Tigers on the white sands of Nanthikandal lagoon killing the outfits top leaders including Velupillai Prabhakaran, Sri Lanka has opened the area to public.

The lagoon in the Mullaithivu district was the scene of the final battle on May 18, 2009 where the body of the reclusive LTTE leader body was found signalling the end to his three decades old separatist campaign.

The Lankan troops went for the final kill after tens of thousands of Tamil civilians trapped in the then LTTE held area crossed the lagoon to the military side to escape the fury of guns.

But right groups dispute the government figures claiming that thousands of civilians including LTTE civil leaders were killed in cold blood. Declaring the area open to public, an official statement said the process of allowing civilians into the area had been delayed due to demining operations.

Since the end of the conflict, the former battle zones where Prabhakaran made his last stand is being flocked by large number of local tourists who want to catch the glimpse on what is left of the former LTTE citadel.

PTI