The curtains came down on the 33-month-long Eelam War IV with Sri Lankan Army decimating the LTTE, resulting in the death of at least 18 top leaders presumably including V. Prabhakaran, the LTTE chief.

However, the military commanders on the ground were unable to officially confirm the death of Prabhakaran, as they had not been able to trace him or his body in the continuing combing operations. They believe that a body burnt beyond recognition recovered from the battle zone could be that of Prabhakaran.

Meanwhile, LTTE''''s International Relations head S. Pathmanathan said Tamil Tigers chief was still alive and healthy.

"I wish to inform the global Tamil community distressed witnessing the final events of the war that our beloved leader is alive and safe. He will continue to lead the quest for dignity and freedom for the Tamil people," the website TamilNet quoted Pathmanathan as saying. (ANI)