46 killed in Sri Lanka

Colombo (PTI): At least 43 militants, two civilians and a solider were killed in fierce gunbattles between security forces and the LTTE in the embattled Northern Sri Lanka, the army said here on Sunday.

Three militants were gunned down in an encounter with troops at Kokkuthuduvai in North-Eastern Welioya on Sunday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

Nine rebels were gunned down by security forces in three separate encounters at Kiribbanwewa in Welioya on Saturday while two others died in a confrontation at Parayanakulam in Vavuniya on the same day, the Defence Ministry said.

In another clash at Muhamalai in Jaffna, security forces lost a soldier, the MCNS said adding troops also killed three Tamil Tigers in an attack in the same area on Saturday evening.

Separately, two rebels were killed in skirmishes with troops in Kokkuthuduwai and Janakapura areas of Jaffna on Saturday, the Defence Ministry said.

Five rebels were shot dead at Vilathikulam in Vavuniya when troops intercepted the LTTE foot movement there on Saturday, the MCNS said.

One rebel was killed at Kallikulam in Vavuniya on Saturday, the Army said.

Earlier in the day, troops hit an LTTE mortar training base North of Palamoddai in Vavuniya with artillery fire.

Source: Thehindu