Tiger leader to make key speech

By Roland Buerk
BBC News, Colombo

Enigma of Prabhakaran

The leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers is due to make a speech as government forces say they are about to capture his de facto capital of Kilinochchi.

Velupillai Prabhakaran always makes an address on what the rebels call heroes day, when they remember their dead in a war that began in earnest 25 years ago.

But this year the government says it is on the verge of inflicting a crushing defeat on the Tigers.

It wants to end their fight for a separate state for the Tamil minority.

See map of the region

Mr Prabhakaran's remaining territory in the north of Sri Lanka is shrinking fast.

His Tamil Tigers are under a massive onslaught from the military but he is expected to try to rally his supporters, including the world wide Tamil diaspora, who have funded his long struggle for a separate state.

KEY DATES IN THE WAR 1983: 13 soldiers killed in one of the first rebel attacks 1990: Indian troops leave after unsuccessful peacekeeping mission 1991: Tamil Tigers assassinate Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi 1993: President Premadasa killed in Tamil Tiger attack 1998: Rebels capture Kilinochchi 2000: Rebels capture key Elephant Pass base 2001: Rebel attack on Colombo airport 2002: Ceasefire leads to inconclusive peace talks 2005-2008: Fighting intensifies in north and east

Every year the rebel leader makes a policy speech on what the day the rebels commemorate their dead.

It is usually recorded in a secret jungle bunker before being broadcast.

Recent years have been disastrous for the Tamil Tigers.

After a ceasefire broke down in mid-2006 they were driven from the east of Sri Lanka.

Much of their arms smuggling fleet was reported as sunk by the navy and now their territory in the north is crumbling.

Aid agencies estimate as many as 230,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.

The government says soldiers will soon capture the rebels' political headquarters, the town of Kilinochchi, although heavy rain is hampering operations.

Velupillai Prabhakaran's room for manoeuvre appears to be diminishing by the day, but the Tigers have turned the tables on the military before after receiving beatings on the battlefield.

They retain the ability to carry out bombings elsewhere in the island, including attacks by their suicide wing, the Black Tigers.

MAP OF THE REGION

Click here to return