Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe speaking to media today (21) said the Sri Lanka Army will be rescuing the people that are currently under the LTTE detention in the Thoppigala in Batticaloa.

Yesterday military officials informed, a Tamil civilian escapee from LTTE captivity has disclosed that 73 persons – including two soldiers, several members of the Karuna faction and Muslim civilians - were under the detention of the Tigers. These people are going through torture and harassment and are forced to perform hard work continuously. “LTTE have shown only one soldier to the International Red Cross,” Brigadier Samarasinghe added.

He further confirmed that the fall of Tiger stronghold in Thoppigala area is imminent. Troops have almost reached Thoppigala and by yesterday a total of seven LTTE camps – four during last week and three on last Tuesday – were captured by the Army.

Brigadier Samarasinghe stated yesterday that with the establishment of Government control in Thoppigala – LTTE's last stronghold – the LTTE will not be able to establish camps and they will not have any access to forced recruitment.