The government yesterday expressed hope it would be able to capture LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran and the remaining LTTE controlled areas in the Kilinochchi district in the Wanni by the first week of February.
Speaking at a political event in Kandy, Defence spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said once captured the elusive Tiger leader would be produced before court and tried for his acts of terrorism.
“By February 7 Prabhakaran will be captured from the bunker where he will be hiding like a Binkunda (critter) and hauled to courts” Minister Rambukwella said at the opening of a party office in Kandy.
However when contacted by the Daily Mirror the Minister later said a specific date could not be mentioned on when the Tiger leader would be captured but he was confident it would be achieved in another six to seven weeks.
“I’m not sure whether he is there in the uncleared areas or not but if he is there when we take control we will definitely capture him,” Minister Rambukwella said.
According to the Minister the military is on course to completely capture Kilinochchi by February 7, just three days after Sri Lanka celebrates 61 years of independence.
Meanwhile the Minister reiterated that the government had given the LTTE time till tomorrow to release all civilians or face a ban. “We will announce the decision to ban the LTTE after the deadline if it fails to comply”, the Minister said.
“The days are running out for Prabhakaran to release the civilians and his days are also numbered,” the Minister said.
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