Prabhakaran made two last-minute attempts to flee: Navy

Colombo: LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran made two last-minute attempts to escape to India or Malaysia, but these came too late as the Sri Lankan Navy had put up an effective naval blockade by then.

These failures left no option for Prabhakaran, who had earlier hoodwinked and outmaneuvered the Sri Lankan security apparatus, to stay put in the northern war zone and fight to the last.

Prabhakaran made these attempts as Sri Lankan forces made major advances into the rebel-held territory this year, naval spokesman DK Dasanayake said.

"He had attempted to flee to India or Malaysia but he couldn't as the Navy has strengthened its vigilance," he said.

Media reports had earlier said that the LTTE leader may try to escape to a South Asian country through the sea route.

Prabhakaran's body was on Tuesday recovered near a lagoon in Puthumathalan in the northern region.