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Lankan forces launch new offensives as 24-hrs deadline to LTTE over

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, April 21, IRNA -- As LTTE ignored the 24-hour government deadline to surrender, Sri Lankan forces on Tuesday launched new offensives and captured more territory from the Tamil Tigers.

Meanwhile, thousands of trapped civilians continued to flee the northern war zone.

Minutes after the expiry of the ultimatum to the LTTE Supremo V Prabhakaran to lay down arms, Sri Lankan forces seized Puthumathalan hospital and breached the eastern coast of the no-fire zone, PTI reported quoting Sri Lankan government spokesman.

The Lankan forces attack virtually sliced the small 17 sq kilometers strip of land held by the Tigers into two and came as the number of people fleeing the war zone crossed a record figure of 52,000.

"The LTTE has not responded to the government's call for surrender, so our troops are taking effective action to save the lives of innocent civilians," the spokesman said.

So far, the only response from the pro-LTTE website was the reiteration of the demand by the organization's political head B Nadesan that the Tigers were ready for a ceasefire monitored by a third party.

However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the government's offer of surrender still stands.

"Prabhakaran and his aides could lay down their arms after all the civilians have been rescued from the no-fire zone," he said.

"If he does not do so," Rajapaksa made it clear the government would consider other options for him and his aides.

The Sri Lankan president said as far as Prabhakaran was concerned he would of course have to appear in Court to face charges that had been brought against him.

He also said that even India wanted LTTE chief for the killing of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. "I saw what the LTTE has done to civilians who tried to escape its clutches. Two LTTE suicide cadres had exploded themselves to prevent civilians from escaping. Several were killed and those in a critical condition were brought to Colombo by air. I was shocked by what I saw," he said.

"It appears the LTTE does not have an option other than seeking the help of the cyanide capsule for their final act of defiance," Rajapaksa said.

Earlier today, Lankan forces entered into the areas of Puthumanthalam and Amapalavanpokkanai in the no-fire zone, where they had rescued over 1,000 civilians on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Army Chief Sarath Fonseka said terrorism could be eliminated in the few days as the troops started moving into the peripheries of the no fire zone after the expiry of the 24-hour deadline.

Fonseka said it was up to the LTTE leader and his senior leaders and cadres to surrender to the security forces or to 'choose' death.

If the rebels surrender, some form of reprieve could be considered, he added.