Sri Lanka Captures Rebels' Capital

The army first captured Kilinochchi from the rebels in 1996 but lost it in a rebel counterattack in 1998.

The government has predicted repeatedly over the past two months that the town was about to fall. But the rebels built a massive, 10 1/2 -mile-long earth and moat fortification, and fierce resistance from the guerrillas and monsoon rains made it difficult for government forces to advance. The battles reportedly killed hundreds of fighters.

Army troops cleared the way into the town Thursday when they captured a key crossroad north of Kilinochchi that allowed them to close in from three directions, the military said.

Troops entered Kilinochchi on Friday morning, said Lakshman Hulugalle, a military spokesman. Senior military officials said their forces met minimal resistance once in the town, suggesting that the rebels had retreated to their jungle bases, analysts said.

Army commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said Friday that troops had taken control of most of the north's largest highway, which runs along the country's spine. Troops were "attacking the fleeing terrorists," he said.

He said troops were now focused on pushing into Mullaittivu, and estimated that 1,700 to 1,900 rebels remained.

"We are confident that we can see the end of them within this year," he said.

The government had previously vowed to end the war by the end of 2008.

But Tamil Tiger political leader Balasingham Nadesan said Tuesday that the rebels began as a guerrilla group and would be able to keep fighting even if they lost much of the territory they controlled in the north.