Sri Lanka's military chief says his forces have wiped out the Tamil rebels' ability to fight as a conventional army.
LieutenantGeneral Sarath Fonseka said Monday the rebels have changed theirtactics, and they no longer have the strength or willpower to fight.
He estimated the rebels would lose even their current reduced capability within a year.
Fonsekasaid 9,000 Tamil rebels have been killed in the past two years,and that about 5,000 fighters remain. He said 1,700 soldiersdied during the same period.
The rebels have not reacted to Fonseka's comments.
AlsoMonday, police in the capital, Colombo, said a group of unidentifiedmen assaulted a British High Commission employee and a journalisttraveling in a car. Both were wounded.
Britain's High Commissioner Peter Hayes condemned what he called the "despicable act" and demanded a full investigation.
TamilTigers have been fighting for an independent homeland for ethnic Tamilsin the country's north and east since 1983. More than 70,000 peopledied in the conflict.