Gen Fonseka says 80 percent of the LTTE cadres were killed in fighting

Speaking at a ceremony in Anuradhapura, Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka said eighty percent of Tamil Tigers were already destroyed by the military.

The fact that the LTTE is facing lack of cadres to send to battlefront was witnessed in the recent weeks, he said.

“Many of the bodies of the terrorists we found in the last few weeks belonged to political cadres, LTTE police or recently recruited civilians. 14-15 year old forcibly recruited girls were among them,” Gen Fonseka said.

The army commander once again vowed to capture Kilinochchi, where the LTTE ran its main administration from, as soon as possible.

Many of the bodies of the terrorists we found in the last few weeks belonged to political cadres, LTTE police or recently recruited civilians. 14-15 year old forcibly recruited girls were among them SLA commander

Lt Gen Fonseka said that 12,000 LTTE cadres were killed in ground battles and further 1000 LTTE members in air attacks.

“At least another 7000-8000 might have been injured or disabled during that period,” he said.

In an interview with Sunday Times in December 2007, Gen Fonseka said only 3000 members were left in the LTTE.

Although he does not want to set deadlines to defeat the LTTE, Gen Fonseka said, it is his ambition to finish the war against the Tamil Tigers during his term as the SLA commander.