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Tiger rebels are 'near extinction’

Says Lankan govt

AFP, Colombo
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger guerrillas are "near extinction” as troops press home their initiative after capturing the rebels' political capital, the defence ministry said yesterday.
Government forces have advanced towards the final remain -ing strongholds of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since theTigers' headquarters at Kilinochchi fell on Friday.
Ttoops were also close to taking a key land route to the north • ern peninsula of Jaffna, and have made progress in securing the strategic Elephant Pass, the ministry said.
Sri Lanka's government meanwhile has decided to formally ban its warring partner, the Tamil Tiger rebels, in a symbolic move that signals closing die prospect of early peace talks, an official said.
The government was bringing back the proscription as seen -rity forces moved to dismantle the remnants of a de facto rebel state in the north of the island after capturing the Tiger political capital on Friday, theofficial said.
"The government is bringing back die ban," the official said declining to be named. "Tigers failed to respond to a December 31 (2008) ultimatum to allow civilians the freedom to leave areas under their control."
The Tamil Tigers have vowed to hit back after suffering a series of major defeats in their vicious 37-year battle for a separate homeland.
The ministry said troops recovered three rebel bodies while
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“scores" were killed during heavy fighting around the Muhamalai defence line in the Jaffna peninsula onlbesday.
"Security forces... are now gaining rapid tactical advantage leaving ETTE near to extinction." the ministry said, adding that intense ground battles had left "well-fortified LTTE defences crumbling and its leadership stunned."
The LITE did not comment on the military statements, but pro-rebel website Tamilnet.com said the guerrillas would fight back.
Rebel political chief B Nadesan dismissed the fall of Kilinochchi as "an insignificant setback" in an interview published on the website.
"With the resolute backing of our people and the moral support base of the global Tamil community, we arc determined to overcome die current challenges," hesaid.
The government was "waging a genocidal war with cowardly and indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians," headded.
Reports on the frontline cannot be independently verified as the government bars reporters and aid workers from travelling to the war zones.