Sri Lanka: Fierce battle kills 64 from both sides

A day-long fierce exchange of artillery and mortar fire between Sri Lanka’s troops and Tamil Tiger rebels has resulted in the death of 64 combatants from both sides, the military said today.

An officer at the government’s Media Centre for National Security said 24 soldiers were killed and 69 wounded in Sunday’s battle with the insurgents in the eastern Batticaloa district.

Forty rebels were also killed in the clash, the officer said.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan said at least seven rebel fighters died in the clashes.

The military yesterday said guerrillas mounted artillery attacks on four army locations in Batticaloa district, prompting soldiers to launch retaliatory attack.

Sunday’s fighting came a day after thousands of ethnic Sinhalese fled from their homes to escape violence in neighbouring Trincomalee district.

In an e-mail statement, the rebels said 19 civilians were killed by army artillery fire yesterday, a day after 22 Tamil civilians reportedly died from military shelling.

The military, however, accused the Tigers of holding Tamil civilians as human shields.