Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.

Sri Lanka Fighting Kills 175
----------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=1374F23:3919ACA Some of worst
clashes between military, Tamil Tiger rebels occurred in northern
Jaffna peninsula





A Sri Lankan army soldier keeps vigil from an armored vehicle near
Kallar, in eastern Trincomalee district, Aug. 9, 2006Sri Lanka's
military says intense fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels has left some
175 people dead.

The military estimates Saturday that it killed some 150 rebels as they
attacked the military front lines. Officials say 27 military personnel
were killed and about 80 wounded.

Some of the worst clashes occurred in the northern Jaffna peninsula,
which is under government control but is cut off from the rest of the
country by rebel-held territory.

The Tigers said they are advancing and have destroyed army
checkpoints, but the military denies their claims.

Sri Lankan officials also say Tamil Tigers attacked a key naval base
in the northeastern part of the country in an effort to retake Jaffna.

Fighting is also raging in the eastern district of Trincomalee. The
army says the rebels pounded the area with artillery fire, while the
rebels accuse the government of air strikes in the area.

Truce monitors say many civilians in Jaffna and Trincomalee are
fleeing their homes to escape the latest clashes.

More than 500 people have been killed since intense fighting broke out
more than two weeks ago.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.


.