The Sinhala people in the south celebrated the occupation of Kilinochchi town by the Sri Lankan security forces by taking to the streets in large numbers waving flags and lighting firecrackers across towns and villages in the south of the island.
According to local media people in Colombo, Dambulla, Galle and many other cities celebrated the capture of Kilinochchi with street parties and people throughout the country celebrated the ‘jubilant moment’ thanking the security forces.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa went on television to announce the capture of the former administrative capital of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and described the fall of the Kilinochchi as an "unparalleled victory" for the nation.
"Whatever the words or language used to describe it, this is truly an unparalleled victory. What our heroic troops have achieved is not only the capture of the great fortress of the LTTE, but a major victory in the world's battle against terrorism," Rajapakse said.
"It was the constant dream of all Sri Lankans, whether Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim, who are opposed to separatism, racism, and terrorism, and have always sought peace, freedom and democracy,".
"Today our heroic troops have made that dream a reality. A short while ago, our brave and heroic troops have fully captured Kilinochchi that was considered the main bastion of the LTTE."
Rajapakse warned the LTTE to abandon the fight and said: "I am telling the LTTE for the last time to lay down their arms and surrender."
But analysts say, despite the loss of Kilinochchi, the LTTE remains a strong force and are well capable of mounting large scale counter operations as they have done in the past.
However, the fact that the LTTE retreated from Kilinochchi with its man power and fire power intact did not concern the revelers in the south.
Pubudu Udara, 25, told The Independent newspaper that all his life he had known war and that, when he heard the news of the fall of Kilinochchi, "the hairs on the back of my neck stood up".
"I jumped into the air," he said.
"This is great news. The fighting is terrible for our country and we would all like to see it end."
