Over 800 killed in one week of fighting in Sri Lanka

Fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of at least 700 rebels and 106 soldiers in less than a week, the military said today.

Since August 11, when rebels launched a major offensive to retake government-controlled Jaffna Peninsula, another 500 to 600 rebels have been wounded, said military spokesman Maj. Upali Rajapakse.