Colombo - The Sri Lankan army was on the brink of its most catastrophic defeat in 17 years of bitter civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels last night and reports said the country's president had asked India to evacuate 40,000 troops trapped by a rebel offensive.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga's reported plea for help from India follows a series of stunning military advances by the Tigers during the past two weeks.
They have now advanced to within 25 miles of the main northern town of Jaffna, which they fled five years ago.
