While the LTTE spokesperson still would like to believe that LTTE chief Prabhakan is very much alive and kicking the Sri Lankan army’s butt, the disturbing visuals being released by the Sri Lankan army give a different picture.
Though there are rumours that this could well be a body double, experts say it’s highly likely that a person would closely resemble the face being shown on TV.
Now here is what I think could have led to his death, if it is indeed the LTTE chief.
When Sri Lankan president heard about the capture of Prabhakaran, Mahinda Rajapaksa had to draw a deep pause and ask for time. He wondered if a trial like the way the US did for ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein would do any good.
Most of all, does Prabhakaran who has killed over 70,000 people in 30 years deserve any fair trial. With these in mind, he finally asked his army officials to kill him pointblank.
But there was one caution.
Kill him in such a way that his face is intact. The result is there for everyone to see: his rear head is chopped off with what could have been from a sniper rifle.
With this, he kills two birds with one sniper. Brings down the morale of the LTTE and sends out a stern warning to one and all that extremism will no longer be tolerated, particularly after 9/11.