Troops have taken control of the Elephant Pass area and the A9 road, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said a short while ago.
Addressing the nation on national television the president announced the A9 highway was now in total control of the government after 23 years.
President Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude to the security forces for taking control of the area.
"Today I address you at a time when our brave soldiers have achieved a special and historic vicotry. Our war heroes were able to completely liberate Elephant Pass from the clutches of the LTTE," he said.
