When the commanders of Sri Lanka's military pledged in a New Year's message to wipe out terrorism by the end of 2008, they may have been anticipating a walkover in LTTE controlled territory.
But weeks of fighting in the north and repeated bombings in other parts of the country have left Sri Lankans with the sinking feeling that it will only get worse before it gets any better.
"I don't think they have really appreciated the tenacity and fighting spirit of the LTTE," said Gen. Gerry de Silva, a retired army commander.
"After the euphoria of capturing the east with the assistance of the Karuna faction, they thought the Wanni (north region) would also be easy meat. But the Tigers have proved they are no pushover."
Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, alias Karuna – the LTTE's former eastern commander who broke away from the group in 2004 – is no longer of any help. Earlier this year, a British court sentenced him to nine months in jail for entering the country on a Sri Lankan diplomatic passport that carried his photograph but a different name.
While the military wants to thrust into the rebel-controlled Wanni as quickly as possible, most analysts warn that such an expedition could prove disastrous for the troops.
"The LTTE would want to defend the Wanni," de Silva said. "I think the 18-month-long military campaign in the east has allowed them time to fortify the Wanni. They are well prepared."
De Silva also said the rebels were spreading violence to other parts of the country to "create a problem of overstretch and to draw troops away from the battlefront.
"They know we are also short of manpower resources," he pointed out. "They want forces to be deployed in other areas so that the military's fighting strength in the Wanni and the north is reduced."
The military does not officially admit to a shortage of manpower but in early May army announced a two-week amnesty to deserters. Also, recruitment ads have sprung up in newspapers, TV and billboards.
State-run television also aired a documentary last month about the lives of soldiers at the battlefront, hosted by a popular actress who had travelled to the conflict zone.
The Free Media Movement (FMM) said after recent fighting that government officials had barred photographers from hospitals containing injured soldiers.
"There is an unofficial censorship on the war by both sides,” said Sunanda Deshapriya, FMM convenor.
“They are not letting independent journalists report on the conflict and are permitting only guided tours. As a result, this is a silent war,” he added.
“The real tragedy is that journalists are not being allowed to report on the realities of civilian casualties or the refugee situation as the war happens. There is also an unofficial line that the media should not contradict the government when reporting war.”
“Government statements have become news now.”