The Sri Lankan government is claiming victory over the Tamil Tigers but the fighting is not over yet.

Latest footage from the country’s air force shows flames and smoke rising allegedly from a Tiger stronghold. Thousands of civilians are shown fleeing the area. A former peace negotiator says the Sri Lankan Government must make a deal with the Tamil movement. Erik Sonheim said: “ The Government of Sri Lanka, in the way they have won the war must also take steps to win the peace. And the peace can only be won if they can give generous offers to the Tamils on self rule within the Sri Lankan state.” While sporadic battles are still being fought the Sri Lankan Government has rejected calls for a ceasefire and no-one can predict when the last bullet will be fired in Asia’s longest war in modern times. Both sides routinely give inaccurate versions of the state of the conflict and independent foreign journalists have been denied access to the fighting zone. Meanwhile in the Sri Lankan capital celebrations are well underway with members of the Army hailed as heroes. But there are fears this war is not over and the Tamils may yet return to a guerilla campaign.More about: Sri Lanka

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