Two top Tamil Tiger leaders today surrendered before the rapidly advancing Sri Lankan forces, signalling an imminent collapse of the LTTE as troops closed in on Vellamullivakkal, the possible hiding place of rebel chief Vellupillai Prabhakaran.

Velayutham Dayanidhi, better known as Daya Master, a former media coordinator of the Tigers, and George, a close aide of slain LTTE political wing head S P Thamilchelvan, gave themselves up to the army at Putumathalan in the no-fire zone (NFZ) where the battles are raging, Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.

This is the first time that LTTE cadres have surrendered as Tigers are known for swallowing cyanide pills than giving themselves up. The two leaders are likely to be flown to Colombo to be produced before a court, the spokesman said.

Ruling out amnesty, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said “Prabhakaran has spurned the possibility of pardon by us. In doing so, by not giving up arms and surrendering as required, he must now face the consequences of his acts.”

As the situation in the war-torn north deteriorated and echoed in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, the President sent his brother Basil Rajapaksa to New Delhi as a special emissary for discussions with the Indian government.

Troops pushed deep into the NFZ, capturing six of the 18 sq km area where the Tigers are making their last stand, and Rambukwella said the government “strongly believes” that Prabhakaran and his aides were still in the area and had not escaped. “They are fighting on their last legs and it is a losing battle.”

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