[BBC]

As Sri Lanka’s military takes control of key territory held by the Tamil Tiger rebels, Chris Morris in Colombo reports on a deepening mood of determination and defiance on both sides of the conflict. Getting through to the Tamil Tigers isn’t easy these days. Their world is getting smaller. Surreptitious messages. Crackling phone lines. “Can I talk to him now?” “It’s difficult.” “Why?” “There’s heavy shelling. Please call again later.” Eventually I make a connection with the Tigers’ political leader, B Nadesan. He sounds remarkably calm for the spokesman of a group which has lost most of the land and all the main towns it controlled a year ago.

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[BBC]

The Tamil Tigers say that 250,000 civilians in the conflict zone in north-eastern Sri Lanka want to stay to be protected by the rebels. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa had appealed to the rebels to allow the civilians to leave. But his government also ruled out a ceasefire. Rebel political chief B Nadesan said the people did not wish to end up in the hands of “their killers”. Health officials and rights groups say hundreds of civilians have died. Mr Nadesan denied the rebels were blocking civilians. He also said he was in daily contact with the Tigers’ Vellupillai Prabhakaran and that the rebels’ main leader was still full of enthusiasm.

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