Sri Lankan troops are on the outskirts of Kilinochchi and expect the Tamil Tiger's administrative capital to fall imminently, the government said Wednesday. The capture of Kilinochchi would be a devastating blow to the separatist group, which once controlled a large de facto state in northern Sri Lanka but has been forced into a rapid retreat in the face of a massive military offensive. Though the town has little military importance _ and the rebels would almost certainly fight on if it falls _ it is seen as one of the most significant symbols of the rebels' fight to create their own independent state in the north and east of this Indian Ocean island nation. In recent days, government forces and rebel guerrillas have engaged in fierce fighting over the town. Defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella was quoted as saying Wednesday that the troops were on «the outskirts of the town,» and the rebels' appeared to have abandoned their defenses. «They are in retreat, they are moving out,» he said. «Their presence is not felt.» When asked whether the town was expected to fall imminently, he said, «Yes.» Other security officials said any announcement over the capture of Kilinochchi would be made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
