(AKI) - Sri Lankan security forces killed at least 20 Tamil Tiger separatists defending the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi in the island's north, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday. Government troops captured the village of Sinna Paranthan, northwest of Kilinochchi, from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the ministry said.The ministry said troops were consolidating their defences in the area after months of intense conflict.
The Tigers on Monday claimed that they had killed more than 100 soldiers but the government declined to confirm the casualties.
Meanwhile, international aid agencies are demanding to be allowed back into the rebel-held north where fighting has displaced thousands.
The United Nations and the global organisation, Human Rights Watch haved called for improved access to provide humanitarian relief and personnel in the northern Vanni region.
In a letter to the government, Walter Kalin, the UN Secretary-General's Representative for the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), acknowledged Sri Lanka's continuing efforts to enable humanitarian convoys to reach the estimated 200,000-300,000 displaced people in the region.
On Tuesday the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed its shock and concern after one of its staff members was killed in a shooting incident in Jaffna. He was the father of two and had been working with the ICRC since 1999.