May 19, Colombo: Although the rebel spokesman has denied the government's claim, saying on a pro-rebel website that Prabhakaran, is "alive and safe", the DNA tests have proved that the body recovered belongs to the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Army said.

The Commander of Sri Lanka Army General Sarath Fonseka this afternoon confirmed that Prabhakaran's body was found among the 150 or so bodies the army recovered yesterday.

Soon after this special statement by the Army Commander the state owned Sri Lanka Rupawahini Corporation and several other media have telecasted the images of the recovered body of the LTTE chief.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the bullet-ridden body was found by the 53 Division troops in the Nanthikadal lagoon area.

The security forces have found the identity card of Prabhakaran issued by the LTTE and the armlet with the number one indicating his position in the LTTE.

Also, the body has been positively identified as Prabhakaran's by Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan and surrendered rebel leader Daya Master.