By Walter Jayawardhana

While many LTTE supporters in London refused to accept the death of their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran military sources said two individuals who closely knew Prabhakaran, namely Minister Vinayagamoorti Muralidharan alias karuna Amman and Daya Master have positively identified the dead body as the remains of the LTTE leader.

Karuna Amman was the former deputy leader of the terrorist outfit and Daya Master was the media spokesman of the group in the past. Both traveled to the battlefield to identify the man whom they knew so well.

Sri Lanka Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka in his statement said the dead body of the LTTE leader was found by the 53rd Division troops led by Major General Kamal Gunaratne on Tuesday may 19.

Interviewed by the state owned ITN TV karuna Amman said it was definitely the body of Velupillai Prabhakaran whom he knew so well. He said the Sri Lankan armed forces dedicated their lives and limbs to end this war of 30 years on behalf of the suffering Tamil people of Sri Lanka. Although various international agents attacked Sri Lanka, now many realize the truth karun Amman said. To build a new united Sri Lanka the whole nation should rally round the President he added.

Defence officials said Prabhakaran’s bullet ridden body was discovered near Nanthikadal Lagoon’s marshy area in the Mulaittivu district.

Meanwhile according to the military sources, Sea Tiger leader Soosai’s bullet ridden body was found by Army Commandos in the marshy land in Karayamullavaikkal area of Mullaittivu while engaged in search operations during the same day in the evening.