News: Is LTTE chief dead? Yes, says Lanka

Is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam chief  Prabhakaran dead? If the Sri Lankan Army is to be believed, Prabhakaran’s body was found. There are also reports that a huge explosion was heard outside where the LTTE  chief was reportedly hiding.  However, there is no official confirmation. Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka  from Jordan where he announced his military’s victory over the LTTE, even as two top Tiger leaders were among 70 killed in last legs of fighting amid unconfirmed reports of about 300 rebels committing suicide. Returning to Colombo after cutting short his visit, Rajapaksa saluted his country, which he said has been "liberated" from LTTE’s terrorism, as he was welcomed by hundreds of supporters at the international airport.  "Before stepping on Sri Lankan soil, Rajapaksa, who had gone to attend the G-11 summit in Jordan, paid tribute to his motherland by placing his forehead on the ground and worshiping the land he has liberated from terrorism," the Defence Ministry said.  On his arrival he was welcomed by his cabinet and was blessed by Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu and Muslim priests.