Military opens Nandikadal Lagoon for civilians

The military has said that the Nandikadal Lagoon in the Mullaitivu District where the final battle with the Tamil Tiger terrorist leaders took place during the last stage of the war has been opened for civilians.

The lagoon was opened almost three years after the end of the war following the completion of de-mining in the area.

During the final stage of the war around 35,000 Tamil civilians taken hostage by LTTE crossed over to Government controlled areas through the Nandikadal Lagoon after the Sri Lankan Army successfully entered into the no-fire zone and took control of the final stronghold of the rebels.

Military Spokesperson Brigadier Nihal Hapuararchchi has told the media that the area surrounding the lagoon had to be de-mined and has now been opened for civilians for fishing activities.

He has said that the lagoon itself was safe but some areas surrounding it were unsafe due to land mines.

Sri Lankan security forces killed the entire top Tamil Tiger leadership in a ferocious battle on May 18, 2009 and their bodies were discovered in Nandikadal lagoon.

LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, his family and other senior LTTE leaders were killed during the battle which ended the three-decade long terrorist war in Sri Lanka.