PTI
 
Colombo, Apr 28: Amid de-escalation of military operation in Sri Lanka’s war zone, the government on Monday underlined its determination to prevent LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran from escaping from the island.

The government stepped up the naval blockade of the entire sea facing the Mullaitivu coastline where the remnants of the LTTE including its top leadership is holed-up.

Prabhakaran has vowed not to be caught alive by the military. Lankan warship on Monday sunk a Sea Tiger boat, which tried to approach this small coastline. The troops have put up an effective blockade of the coastline.

Asserting that “the game” of Prabhakaran “was over”, the government on Monday said the navy has been put on alert to prevent the LTTE supremo and his top aides from fleeing. “We will not even allow him (Prabhakaran) to launch a boat from the land. His game is over. He is there in the No-Fire-Zone,” a top naval official said.

“The Sri Lankan navy has been put on alert to prevent any attempt by Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran or other senior LTTE leaders from fleeing the country,” he said.

The Lankan official said fast attack craft, speed boats, radars and other equipments are keeping a close watch for any possible attempt by the Tamil Tiger cadres, including its top leadership from escaping from the restive island. A well-fortified naval blockade has also been put in place to prevent remaining LTTE cadres from launching desperate attacks on advancing Lankan troops.