| Government troops attacked Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka's north, triggering battles that killed 30 rebels and three soldiers, the military said Sunday. The latest battles erupted Saturday along the front lines separating government-held territory and the rebels' de facto state in the north, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. In the worst fighting, troops clashed with rebels in Welioya, leaving 16 rebels and one soldier dead. Another eight soldiers were wounded. Soldiers also attacked two rebel bunkers in Vavuniya, killing nine guerrillas, he said. Other fighting in the region killed five rebels and two soldiers, he said. Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment on the military's claims. |