Sri Lanka celebrates LTTE's end

May 18, 2009 20:21 IST

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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.

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.

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

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

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.

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

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

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.

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.

Image: Celebrations in Colombo
Photographs: David Gray/Reuters

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

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