'Tamil Eelam dream is still raging'

Despite the killings of top LTTE leaders, including its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, and the decimation of the rebels, the concept of Tamil Eelam has not died out amongst those harbouring it, Sri Lankan Army chief has warned.

Despite the killings of top LTTE leaders, including its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, and the decimation of the rebels, the concept of Tamil Eelam has not died out amongst those harbouring it, Sri Lankan Army chief has warned.

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"Even at present those who had connections with terrorists and the Tamil Diaspora overseas are still discussing the possibility of establishing a state of Eelam according to information we received," Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya has said.

During his separate interactions with troops at Kallady, Thoppigala, Vakarai and Punani in eastern Sri Lanka, Lt Gen Jayasuriya recalled the numerous sacrifices made by War Heroes at the risk of their own "lives, blood, sweat, legs and limbs", the army said in a statement.

This is despite the fact that the Tigers' military wing was defeated in May last year, he said during his maiden visits to the Brigades in the Eastern Province last week.

Stating that the Army has the responsibility to protect the country, Jayasuriya said a large number of troops in Northern and Eastern areas were deployed not for offensive duties but for observations or intelligence duties.