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This article was first published 15 years ago

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

May 18, 2009 20:21 IST

Image: A Sri Lankan man waves his national flag as he celebrates the defeat of the Tamil Tigers
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

The news of LTTE chief Prabhakaran's death sparked celebrations across Sri Lanka on Monday.

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

Prabhakaran's death signals the end of the three-decade-long bloody conflict in the island nation.

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

The civil war waged by the LTTE has claimed over 70,000 lives so far.

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Reuters

"All Sri Lankans, irrespective of their differences, have joined their hands together to mark the total eviction of Tiger terrorism from the Sri Lankan soil," the army said.

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

National flags went atop all public buildings with jubilant people taking to the streets.

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Reuters

The people were seen bursting crackers and dancing on the streets, as thousands remained glued to the television.

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Reuters

Opposition leader Ranil Wicremasinghe congratulated Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the phone on the victory against the LTTE.

Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

The LTTE, however, termed the killings of its top leaders as a 'determined massacre'