Sri Lanka

Army suffers major losses

Article published on the 2008-10-20 Latest update 2008-10-20 17:34 TU

Sri Lankan Air Force
(Credit: Reuters)

Thirty-three soldiers have been killed over the past several days of fierce fighting against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), while 48 are injured and three are missing, the government said Monday. This is the largest single loss to security forces since April. Officials added that the LTTE also suffered heavy losses, and have already recovered 11 rebels from the battlefield.

"Troops have captured approximately half a square kilometre of land area from the LTTE," the ministry said in a statement. The front lines of the battlefield are on the outskirts of Kilinochchi, the rebels' northern stronghold.

The government had said several weeks ago that troops were in line to take the town, but they have since been held back by intense rebel fighting.

Aid officials who had rare access to the region over the weekend said that the LTTE had built bunkers. Those living in the area had been evacuated a few weeks ago to other LTTE-held areas in the north.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in fighting between the government and the LTTE since the group launched its campaign for independence in 1972.