The victory 'achieved by defeating the LTTE' is the victory of the entire country, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse said while addressing parliament here on Tuesday. He did not mention that death of rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in his speech.

"Our aim was to protect the Tamils from the clutch of LTTE. In order to protect the innocent Tamilian civilians our soldiers sacrificed their lives," said Rajapakse.