The government said that around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in battle with the LTTE in the last three months and not 15,000, as alleged by the Opposition.

Foreign Employment Minister and Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the "Sunday Island", that the figure of 15,000 soldiers dead was exaggerated and not correct. "According to our estimates, around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in action, since October 2008."

Asked where he thought LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran might be hiding, Rambukwelle said "He is in Mullaithivu and being guarded by the 2,000 cadres that the LTTE has left. It is a matter of time before its last bastion is also overrun."

Questioned if he thought the remaining LTTE cadres could regroup and operate as an effective guerilla organization, he said "No, they might be able to cause some damage occasionally, but the LTTE, as an organization, has lost its effectiveness and the morale of their cadres is very low. They can no longer pose a serious threat."

Commenting on the frequently asked question as to what the government would do with Prabhakaran, he said that one has to first capture him first before addressing such issues.

There has been no official request from India as yet for a captured Prabhakaran to be handed over to them, he said "Prabhakaran is wanted in both Sri Lanka and India for the atrocities he has committed. The Sri Lankan High Court has already convicted and sentenced him to 200 years in jail."