The rebels holding thousands of people as hostage have refused to heed to the surrender call of the President. It is being feared now that LTTE intransigence could lead to heavy bloodshed as the Tigers are likely to use the civilians as human shields.

Rajapaksa on Monday, had warned that the government forces will spare no effort to finish the rebels if they do not lay down their arms and surrender. The Sri Lankan President had also announced a 24-hour dead line for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels and their supremo V Prabhakaran to surrender to the government forces.

With no positive response coming from the rebels, as officials said that the Sri Lankan troops are all set to launch the final assault against the Tigers  in Puthumanthalam and Amapalavanpokkanai.

Troops are already in the war mode and geared for the final battle, which will finally bring the war to conclusion, officials said. The government's brief to the Sri Lankan army is clear, added officials, it wants the rebels to understand that their game is over and the clear message is surrender or perish.
 
On Monday, the Lankan President had gone to the Air Force headquarters to see the video-footages of the exodus of trapped Tamil civilians. While speaking to the media, Rajapaksa said, “The video footage clearly shows that the people are defying the rebels and are escaping. They are running for safety.”