| More than 5,000 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed by Sri Lanka's military since the beginning of the year, the defence ministry said Sunday. The ministry said its latest figures showed 5,036 rebels and 446 of its own soldiers had died in fighting between the start of the year and Friday night. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have not released their estimate of casualties. Figures from both sides cannot be independently verified as journalists are barred from reporting from front line areas. |