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Tamil Boss Shot Dead Trying to Flee

After 26 years, Tamil Tigers resoundingly defeated

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 18, 2009 3:51 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The leader of the Tamil Tigers was shot dead before dawn this morning as the Sri Lankan army moved into the rebel group's final stronghold, the Guardian reports. Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed while trying to flee the war zone in an ambulance. Four other senior Tigers, including his son, were also killed. News of his death sparked celebrations in Sri Lanka, which has endured 25 years of civil war.

Sri Lanka's president announced yesterday that the army had defeated the Tamil Tigers. But gun battles are continuing in the tiny coastal strip where the rebels mounted their last stand, and one military leader said that "mopping up operations are still going on." Thousands of civilians have died in the final months of the conflict, and international organizations have condemned both sides for failing to protect innocent citizens.

Sri Lankan army soldiers receive displaced ethnic Tamil civilians in Kariyalamullivaikal, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan army soldiers receive displaced ethnic Tamil civilians in Kariyalamullivaikal, Sri Lanka.   (AP Photo/Sri Lanka Army, HO)
Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was shot dead before dawn today as Sri Lanka's 25-year civil war drew to a close.
Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was shot dead before dawn today as Sri Lanka's 25-year civil war drew to a close.   (AP Photo/Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, HO)
Police Special Task Force personnel check a car for explosives in the suburbs of Colombo, Sri Lanka, last year.
Police Special Task Force personnel check a car for explosives in the suburbs of Colombo, Sri Lanka, last year.   (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
Sri Lankans in Colombo display the national flags and celebrate after President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory in the country's quarter-century civil war with the separatist rebels yesterday.
Sri Lankans in Colombo display the national flags and celebrate after President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory in the country's quarter-century civil war with the separatist rebels yesterday.   (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Sri Lankans in Colombo display the national flags and set off celebratory fireworks after President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory in the country's quarter-century civil war yesterday.
Sri Lankans in Colombo display the national flags and set off celebratory fireworks after President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory in the country's quarter-century civil war yesterday.   (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
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An end to 'arguably the most effective terrorist organization in the world'
Times (UK)

 
civilian casualties • Sri Lanka • Tamil Tigers • civil war • Sri Lankan Army • Tamils • Velupillai Prabhakaran

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