Sri Lanka rebel spokesman denies Prabhakaran's death

Colombo: A rebel spokesman overseas has denied that Tamil Tigers leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has been killed.

But Sri Lankan authorities appeared in no doubt the 54-year-old Tamil Tiger chief was killed, although the defence ministry website said troops were still in the process of identifying his body.

The announcement of his death came Monday when state television broke into its regular programming Monday to announce it.

After months of intense fighting that had ousted the rebels from their northern strongholds, government had cornered retreating fighters in a tiny strip along the northeast coast. Military officials say the rebel chief died along with top aides during the final assault.