Sri Lankan forces closing in on Tamil stronghold - government

Colombo: The Sri Lankan government says its forces are on the outskirts of the Tamil Tiger stronghold of Kilinochchi after days of heavy fighting with the rebels.

Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella says the rebels appear to be retreating on Wednesday from their de facto capital in the north.

He implied the town is likely to be captured imminently.

The capture of Kilinochchi would be a major blow to the separatist group, which has been engaged in fierce fighting with government forces in recent months.