File photo shows Sri Lankan troops on patrol near the the highly venerated Roman Catholic church of Madhu. At least 41 Tamil Tiger rebels and two government soldiers have been killed in fresh fighting in the island state's embattled northFrom BBC News:
The commander of Sri Lanka's army, Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka, says the Tamil Tigers have been defeated as a conventional force.
He said troops were advancing steadily into the rebel-held north and within a year the Tigers would lose large areas and their control over the population.
But Gen Fonseka admitted a low-level insurgency could last indefinitely.
His comments came as inflation figures showed a continued rise, threatening to undermine support for the government.
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News On Sri Lanka From Other Sources:
Sri Lanka army chief says just a year needed to finish Tigers -- AFP
Sri Lankan military says 9,000 rebels killed in last two years -- China View
Sri Lanka Tiger rebels on brink of defeat - army chief -- Reuters
Sri Lanka Says Mannar `Rice Bowl' Seized From Rebels (Update1) -- Bloomberg
27 rebels, two soldiers killed in Lanka clashes -- Hindustan Times
Sri Lanka army chief says Tamil rebels weakened -- Yahoo News
Needs another Year to Finish off LTTE - Sri Lankan Army Chief -- Tamil Eelam
Sri Lnaka Army News Release
Sri Lankan Military Captures Mannar Rice Bowl - Militants' Supply Cut -- RTT News
My Comment: As predicted by this blog last year, the Tigers as a conventional force will be finally defeated by the Sri Lanka Army this year. Unfortunately, because of ethnic and religious differences, this conflict will still continue. Terrorism, targeted assassinations, criminal activities .... even though at a low level .... will still conflict.
Peace will come .... but not for a very long time.