COLOMBO - At least six soldiers and 30 rebels were killed in fierce confrontations between the two sides in northern Sri Lanka on the eve of the traditional New Year, a military spokesman said Sunday. Troops backed by artillery fire advanced into rebel-controlled areas on Saturday in four locations in Mannar, 320 kilometres north of the capital, amid resistance from the rebels, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. The army had extended their forward defence line with the operation and killed at least 30 rebels and injured over 50 of their cadres, he said. Six soldiers were killed and 25 others were injured in the operation as the military described the fighting as "fierce confrontations."
The fighting comes as the country marks the traditional New Year on Sunday with celebrations in all parts of the country. The event is celebrated by the majority Sinhala Buddhists as well as the minority Tamil Hindus.